Sadio Mane’s Bayern Munich tenure plummets to unprecedented depths after Bundesliga players’ merciless ballot
Sadio Mane’s highly anticipated move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich took an unexpected turn, as his first season with the German giants was far from the dream he had envisioned. Despite his stellar performances with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in their pursuit of the quadruple in the previous campaign, Mane sought a fresh challenge and completed a transfer worth €32 million (£27.4m), potentially rising to €41 million (£35m).
Initially, Mane seemed to hit the ground running, impressing fans with a goal on his debut in the German Supercup against RB Leipzig, followed by another strike in his first Bundesliga match against Frankfurt. However, his fortunes quickly changed.
In early November, Mane suffered a fibula injury that sidelined him for three long months, preventing him from representing Senegal at the World Cup. This setback undoubtedly affected his rhythm and disrupted his integration into the Bayern Munich squad. Further complications arose when Mane was involved in a heated altercation with teammate Leroy Sane in the dressing room following a disheartening 3-0 Champions League quarter-final loss to Manchester City. Consequently, the club took disciplinary action, suspending and fining Mane for his behavior.
Despite Bayern Munich clinching the Bundesliga title on the final day of the season, Mane’s individual performance remained underwhelming, scoring only 12 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions. The disappointment of his debut season has now been magnified by a recent development.
At the conclusion of each season, Bundesliga players partake in a somewhat harsh voting process, including a category where they are asked to identify the “biggest disappointment” among outfield players. Shockingly, Mane received 41.7% of the votes, highlighting the extent of dissatisfaction within the player community. The next highest vote in this category went to Joshua Kimmich, a surprise choice at 7.5%, while Anthony Modeste, Leroy Sane, and Leon Goretzka completed the list of the top five most disappointing players as selected by Bundesliga stars.
Although the significance of such a vote may be debatable, it undoubtedly sheds light on Mane’s challenging journey at Bayern Munich. While there is room for improvement, it is essential to acknowledge that the talented forward faced adversity, both in the form of injuries and off-field incidents. Mane’s true potential may yet be unleashed in the seasons to come, as he strives to prove his worth and regain the admiration of his teammates and fans alike.
In more positive news, Bundesliga players also cast their votes for the player of the season, with Frankfurt’s Kolo Muani claiming the top spot, edging out the highly talented Jude Bellingham. Muani’s remarkable tally of 15 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances propelled him to the coveted accolade, while Niclas Füllkrug from Werder Bremen secured the third position in the voting. These honors serve as a reminder that football is a dynamic sport, where individual fortunes can quickly change and new stars emerge to capture the spotlight.
