Hasan Salihamidzic, sporting director of Bayern Munich, returned to the replacement of Robert Lewandowski by Sadio Mané. He half-acknowledged having made a recruitment error.
Last summer, the departure of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich for FC Barcelona left the tip of the Bavarian attack destitute. Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting then becoming the only professional center-forward in the workforce of the Bavarian cador. To replace the Pole, the leaders of the German club quickly turned to Sadio Mané. At the start of the season, the Senegalese has often evolved into the forefront of the attack, with more or less success. But the former Reds player’s playing time has dwindled since his right fibula injury and his performances have disappointed. Following the elimination in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Hasan Salihamidzic, the sporting director of Bayern, delivered on the recruitment of Mané, implicitly admitting not having targeted the right profile to replace Lewandowski.
An incompatibility with Mané?
“With Sadio Mané, we have signed a player who can also play as a centre-forward. In retrospect, of course, we can be clever and say: it is not the casethus conceded the manager for Sports1. Serge (Gnabry), King (Coman), Leroy (Sané), Sadio, Tel, Choupo, Thomas (Müller), Jamal (Musiala), all are top players”.
Salihamidžić on not replacing Lewandowski: “With Sadio Mané, we signed a player who can also play as striker. In retrospect, of course, you can play it smart and say: That’s not the case. Serge, King, Leroy, Sadio, Tel , Choupo, Thomas, Jamal – all are top players” [@SPORT1]
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 20, 2023
Even if the former midfielder does not say clearly that the recruitment of Sadio Mané was a mistake, he seems well aware that the profile of the Senegalese is closer to that of the wingers in the workforce. Does this statement sound the death knell for the Lion’s adventure in Bavaria? Her recent altercation with Leroy Sané after the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League against Manchester City (0-3) could also weigh in the balance…
