Mane SLAMMED by Tuchel as Bayern exit edges closer

Cameron Smith

• 16 Jul 2023 13:05 BST
• 3 min read

Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has been heavily criticised by Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel following a disappointing first campaign in Bavaria.

The Senegalese international made just 18 Bundesliga starts last year and netted seven league goals as Bayern overhauled Borussia Dortmund on the final day of the season to claim an 11th consecutive German top flight title.

However, despite success for the team, Mane endured his worst goal-scoring season in a decade - netting just 12 goals in all competitions. That was his lowest tally since he starred for Metz in Ligue 2 back in the 2011/12 campaign.

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He also suffered a fibula injury before the World Cup - which cruelly ruled him out of the tournament - and was involved in an altercation with Bayern team-mate Leroy Sane in April.

His poor form has been criticised by Tuchel, who replaced Julian Nagelsmann in the Allianz Stadium dugout in March. The former Chelsea manager has ripped into Mane for an underwhelming campaign in Munich.

Tuchel said: “Basically, Sadio had an unsatisfactory season and fell short of expectations. The competitive situation is extremely high for him with Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry, we have a constellation which makes it very difficult for Sadio.

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“The player knows that too, he knows my opinion and the opinion of the club.”

Tuchel’s comments have increased speculation that Mane will be forced to leave Bayern this summer, just one year after his €41 million transfer from Liverpool.

After a short, six-month stint leading the line at Anfield, Mane was purchased by Bayern with the idea of potentially replacing Robert Lewandowski as the team’s central attacker and main goal-scorer. However, that plan did not work out and Mane started just six of Bayern’s final 21 league games of the season - owing to injury and poor form.

Mane to leave Bayern?

According to German outlet Kicker, Mane has been informed by Bayern that they do not plan on him remaining with the squad next season.

The outlet reports that Mane’s salary is a huge issue and the club would accept €20m from any interested parties this summer.

Mane is currently Bayern’s highest earner on an annual salary of €22m before tax. Given his status has been diminished to that of a rotation option, the club are keen on offloading him in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, according to reports in Germany, Saudi Pro League trio Al Ahli, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Nassr have all been credited with interest in the Senegal international.