Sadio Mane's Decline: From Liverpool Star to Bayern Munich Dilemma En Route to Saudi Arabia

Once a hero at Anfield, Sadio Mane's £35 million ($45m) move to Bayern Munich was met with anticipation as the German club sought to replace Robert Lewandowski. Mane's impressive track record with Liverpool, where he notched 120 goals in 269 games, made him an attractive acquisition.

Initially, Mane settled in well, scoring five goals in his first six appearances under coach Julian Nagelsmann. However, as time went on, the goals became scarce, and his performance in the 2-0 Champions League win against Barcelona drew criticism. Substituted after 70 minutes without a single shot on target, Mane faced frustration from Nagelsmann and struggled to replicate his Anfield success.

According to the coach's assessment, "I would like him to do certain things more." The coach suggests that Mane should reduce his focus on searching for the ball or team-mates and work on building more self-confidence.

As the season concluded, it became evident that Mane's performance had declined significantly, making him appear like a mere shadow of the outstanding player he was during his time at Liverpool. Moreover, there have been allegations of him being a disruptive presence off the pitch, further contributing to doubts about his continuation with Bayern. Reports of potential interest from Saudi Arabia have added to the uncertainty surrounding his future with the club.

Sadio Mane's Temperament and Troubles at Bayern Munich

Nagelsmann's dismissal from Bayern Munich after the defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on March 19 raised concerns about the team's dynamics. Mane, along with Leroy Sane, was rumored to have played a role in Nagelsmann's departure, suggesting a tense situation within the dressing room.

Reports indicated that Mane had a heated argument with Nagelsmann following Bayern's victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. He expressed his frustration at being kept on the bench as a substitute player. With Thomas Tuchel taking over as the new coach, Mane was given a fresh start, but concerns persisted about his ability to adapt and control his temper.

During the quarter-finals against Manchester City, Mane's performance was lackluster, and he was seen arguing with Sane on the pitch. The dispute escalated after the match, with allegations that Mane had physically confronted Sane in the away changing room.

Bayern took disciplinary action against Mane, imposing a one-match suspension and a fine for his behavior. His temper became a genuine cause for concern, leading to doubts about his future with the club. Mane later addressed the incident, acknowledging that such things can happen, but emphasized that the matter had been resolved.

Despite Mane's attempts to move past the incident, the situation remains uncertain for him as he seeks to regain the trust of his teammates in the upcoming season.

Sadio Mane's World Cup Heartbreak and Injury Struggles

Aside from the issues at Bayern Munich, Mane's first year was marred by unfortunate circumstances. In a match against Werder Bremen, he suffered a serious injury to his right fibula, leading to surgery and a long recovery period.

See more: Sadio Mane missed the 2022 World Cup

The news of his injury deeply affected his home country, Senegal, with FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura expressing hope for miraculous healing. Despite the initial inclusion in Senegal's World Cup squad, Mane was eventually withdrawn by Bayern due to the severity of his injury.

During the World Cup, Senegal managed to progress to the knockout stage without Mane but fell short in the round of 16, losing to England. Mane watched from the sidelines as he continued his rehabilitation at Bayern.

After three months of absence, Mane returned as a substitute in a match against Union Berlin, but struggled to regain his top form. He featured sparingly in Bayern's Bundesliga games, starting in only five of the final 12 matches and scoring one goal.

Although Bayern secured the title, Mane's contribution was limited, and his stock as a player seemed to have diminished. His absence during the crucial moments of the season raised questions about his future at the club.

Sadio Mane's Struggles in a New Role

During his time at Liverpool, Sadio Mane excelled on the left side of the forward line, forming a potent attacking trio with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. However, at Bayern Munich, under Julian Nagelsmann's management, Mane was often deployed as a central striker, a position that proved challenging for him to adapt to.

At Liverpool, Mane's blistering pace and goal-scoring ability made him a menace to defenders, especially in one-on-one situations. He was highly clinical with both feet and found the back of the net consistently. Nagelsmann believed that Mane's skills were well-suited to a central role, but the transition did not yield the desired results.

Former Liverpool and Bayern midfielder, Dietmar Hamann, expressed concerns about Mane's integration into the squad, suggesting that the Senegalese star appeared isolated and lacked involvement in the game. Mane's form declined, raising questions about his comfort and happiness in Munich.

When asked about his preferred position on the field, Mane reiterated his expertise as a left-winger but expressed his willingness to adapt to other roles if required. However, with the presence of Thomas Muller, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Serge Gnabry fulfilling the forward positions, Mane's opportunities as a central striker seem limited.

Mane's best performances have come as a winger, where he wreaked havoc during his Liverpool days. Whether he can rediscover his top form and secure a solid platform at Bayern remains to be seen.

Wear & Tear from Liverpool's Demanding Season

In the 2022-23 season, Liverpool embarked on an extraordinary journey, competing in a staggering 63 matches across all competitions as they pursued a historic quadruple. Sadio Mane played a pivotal role in their campaign, featuring in 51 of these games and making significant contributions with 23 goals and five assists. Although Liverpool clinched the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, their pursuit of the Premier League title and Champions League glory ended in heartbreak.

The team's demanding schedule took a toll on their thin squad, leading to a noticeable dip in performance for key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, and even Mohamed Salah, who nonetheless managed to score over 20 goals. Liverpool's fifth-place finish in the Premier League and exit from the Champions League was a consequence of the physical and mental strain endured throughout the season.

Mane, like his teammates, experienced the effects of an exhausting campaign, leading him to feel fatigued and worn out. As former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann described, Mane is a "machine," but even he succumbed to the demanding fixture list and suffered from a physical breakdown. His subsequent surgery and prolonged recovery can be attributed to the intense workload he endured.

The grueling season and the need for recuperation have seemingly affected Mane emotionally as well. His occasional outbursts on the field may be a manifestation of the strain he faced during the campaign. Consequently, the summer break serves as a crucial period for him to recharge, reassess his ambitions, and contemplate his career's next stages.

At this juncture, Mane faces a pivotal decision regarding his future. As he approaches the later phases of his career, he must determine what he wants to achieve and where his aspirations lie.

Mane's Next Move and His Unprecedented Fall from Grace

According to Sport 1, Bayern Munich was left dissatisfied with Sadio Mane's debut season at the club. They expected more from a player with his extensive experience at the highest level, and concerns were raised about his commitment and performance during training sessions.

The report highlighted that Mane seemed to have lost some of the explosive qualities that made him a dangerous force at Liverpool. While his work ethic remained intact, his effectiveness on the ball had notably declined.

Former Bayern CEO, Oliver Kahn, commented on Mane's need for encouragement and adaptation to the fierce competition for places in the squad, a situation quite different from his time at Liverpool.

Despite being under contract until 2025, it has been reported that Bayern may allow Mane to leave during the current transfer window if a suitable offer arises. Furthermore, Thomas Tuchel's statements in his recent pre-season press conference all but confirmed that Mane does not figure in his plans for the upcoming season.

With Newcastle reportedly interested in bringing Mane back to the Premier League, the Middle East, particularly Al-Nassr, emerges as a more likely destination. Talks have been reported between Mane and Al-Nassr, a club that already boasts the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo among its ranks.

Although Mane's potential move to Saudi Arabia may secure a lucrative payday, it is undoubtedly a significant step down for a player of his caliber. His fall from grace has been unprecedented, considering the admiration and respect he once commanded during his time at Liverpool.

A year ago, Mane would have been a welcome addition to any elite club's starting XI, but now he faces the reality of leaving Europe to pursue his career elsewhere. Bayern Munich may have to acknowledge that Mane's acquisition was one of their worst deals in recent times if he departs, as they are seemingly willing to accept this outcome.

The electrifying Mane that graced the Premier League for six years at Anfield is now seemingly a thing of the past. Rather than futilely trying to recapture his old form at a club that no longer values his abilities, Mane would be wise to consider a lucrative opportunity in Saudi Arabia.

Source: Goal