Kane Has Been 'Let Down': Bayern's Poor Season Isn't on Him

"After completing his big-money move to Munich from Tottenham last summer, Harry Kane expressed his ambition to compete and prove himself at the highest level with one of the world's biggest clubs, Bayern Munich," said Kane. "This club is defined by its winning mentality - it feels very good to be here."

At the time, it seemed like Kane had secured himself major silverware by choosing Bayern, a club that had just clinched their 11th successive Bundesliga title. Their dominance in German football was unparalleled, coupled with two Champions League triumphs during the same period. Signing Europe's premier all-around striker was a significant move.

Kane undeniably proved himself since then, arguably enjoying the best season abroad of any English player in history, with a remarkable 44 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions. However, his quest for a first career trophy remains unfulfilled. Despite his individual brilliance, Bayern's winning streak has come to an end, culminating in a narrow Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid, leaving their 2023-24 campaign in disarray.

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Critics who subscribe to the 'Kane curse' theory may overemphasize his struggles in crucial matches and label him a failure once more. However, Kane is not to blame for Bayern's dramatic decline.

Unforgivable decision

Bayern will rue their Champions League tie against Madrid with a mixture of regret and bitterness. Alphonso Davies' stunning 68th-minute goal in the second leg at Santiago Bernabeu put them 3-2 ahead on aggregate, a strike worthy of winning any match and a moment of brilliance from a player who had never previously scored in Europe's premier competition. Yet, it wouldn't have materialized without Harry Kane.

The England captain dropped deep to initiate Bayern's counterattack and delivered an exquisite lofted pass that found Davies on the left flank, perfectly timed and placed. Kane's primary role is to score goals, but his prowess as a playmaker is also evident, making Thomas Tuchel's decision to substitute him off with five minutes remaining baffling.

Tuchel had already made tactical changes, bringing on Kim Min-jae and Thomas Muller, which drew frustration from the away supporters. Then, introducing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting for Kane, with the game finely poised, raised further eyebrows. By the 91st minute, Madrid had completed a remarkable comeback, fueled by a brace from former Stoke City forward Joselu.

Controversy ensued in the dying moments, with Matthijs de Ligt's equalizer disallowed for a contentious offside call. However, the real antagonist was Tuchel himself, not the officials. Bayern were in command before his substitutions altered the game's dynamics, inviting unnecessary pressure by switching formations and, crucially, removing their target man, who posed the greatest threat and provided a calming influence with his hold-up play.

'Done his job'

Tuchel's explanation that Kane's back had "frozen up" seemed flimsy, considering the lack of visible discomfort and the ongoing impact he was making on the game.

"That’s one of the biggest substitutions I’ve ever seen in a game of that magnitude," remarked former Bayern and Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves in the TNT Sports studio post-match. "To replace a player with 44 goals to his name, someone as durable as Kane, with another striker like Choupo-Moting... Maybe Tuchel wanted height for corners, but you cannot remove him. With just five minutes left in normal time, and potentially 10 or 15 minutes of extra time, Bayern had the game in their hands and let it slip away."

Without Tuchel's tactical missteps, Bayern could have been eyeing an all-German final against arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund. It was another unfortunate twist for Kane, who had been instrumental in their Champions League campaign, contributing to 12 goals in as many matches.

"He's done his part, scoring goals," echoed Rio Ferdinand, Kane's former Manchester United teammate, also speaking to TNT Sports. "They brought him in to win trophies, and it feels like others have let him down more than anything. I believe he'll be feeling a heavy heart tonight."

Unmatched strength of character

As inconsistent as Bayern have been this season, they arguably faced greater challenges in the 2022-23 campaign, particularly after the arrival of Tuchel to replace Julian Nagelsmann. Bayern's journey in the Champions League only extended to the quarter-finals, where they suffered a 4-1 defeat on aggregate to eventual champions Manchester City. They also retained their Bundesliga title, benefiting from a shocking collapse by Dortmund on the final day of the season.

During that campaign, Choupo-Moting and Serge Gnabry emerged as Bayern's top scorers, with 17 goals each, revealing a significant gap in the team's attacking prowess. Kane has addressed this issue with his remarkable goal-scoring output, effectively filling the void left by Robert Lewandowski's departure to Barcelona in 2022.

Kane is now within reach of equaling Lewandowski's record for the most goals scored in a single Bundesliga season (41), albeit he currently trails by five goals with only two games remaining. While Lewandowski achieved this feat in 2020-21, benefiting from a more balanced team and superior service, Kane has approached a similar level of achievement despite often having fewer opportunities.

This consistency is not unique to his time at Bayern, as Kane demonstrated a similar scoring prowess during his tenure at Tottenham. His remarkable determination and work ethic remain unparalleled, even as he approaches the latter stages of his career. Kane continually strives for improvement, setting a high standard for himself and his teammates.

"It’s truly a blessing to coach him," remarked Tuchel when asked about Kane's impact at Bayern in March. "I feel incredibly fortunate. He's incredibly humble, always the first one on the pitch every single day. Whatever you ask of him, he delivers. He possesses this immense character, humble off the field but a true predator on it, hungry for goals and victories. He consistently demonstrates this commitment, not only scoring goals but also through his dedication in training, elevating the performance of those around him. It's excellence at its highest level, both as a person and as a footballer."

The Leverkusen factor

Kane faced ridicule from the outset at Bayern, making his debut as a second-half substitute in the German Super Cup final with RB Leipzig already leading 3-0. However, his failure to break his silverware drought in his first appearance was more about bad luck than his own performance.

Coinciding with Kane's arrival at Allianz Arena was Bayer Leverkusen's impressive resurgence under Xabi Alonso. Alonso took over a struggling Leverkusen side in October 2022, guiding them to a remarkable sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga, setting the stage for an extraordinary turnaround.

Leverkusen secured their maiden Bundesliga title with a resounding 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen on April 14, clinching the title with five games to spare. Additionally, they are in contention for a treble, with the Europa League and DFB-Pokal still within reach, and are on the verge of setting a new record for the longest unbeaten run in European football.

If Leverkusen avoid defeat in their final two Bundesliga matches, they will become the league's first-ever 'Invincibles'. Even in their most dominant seasons, Bayern would have struggled to keep pace with Leverkusen. Currently, Bayern sit 15 points behind in second place, with the title race effectively over since their 3-0 defeat at BayArena in February.

While Kane may have underperformed against Leverkusen, touching the ball only 18 times, he often found himself isolated upfront due to Tuchel's conservative tactics. A similar scenario played out in Bayern's 2-0 home loss to Dortmund a few weeks later, where Kane missed two golden opportunities.

However, Bayern's most humiliating defeat came in the DFB-Pokal, where they were eliminated in the second round by third-tier Saarbrucken. Kane was unused in that match, leaving room for speculation on how things might have unfolded had he been on the field.

Although Bayern's performances have been inconsistent, Kane's contributions have been anything but. He has failed to register a goal or assist in only 13 of his 45 appearances for the club to date, highlighting his remarkable consistency. While this may offer little solace, Kane is poised to sweep the club's end-of-season awards, reaffirming his status as one of the most lethal strikers in the game as he heads into Euro 2024.

Just the beginning

Amid constant speculation about his future, including rumored interest from former club Tottenham and Manchester United, Kane has emphatically reiterated his commitment to Bayern Munich. Despite acknowledging that his debut season in Germany hasn't gone as planned, he remains steadfast in his dedication to the club.

"My future is at Bayern Munich," Kane asserted. "I have a four-year contract, and I'm enjoying my time here. While this season may not have met our expectations, we must come together as a team to rectify our shortcomings. Winning is ingrained in the club's DNA, and falling short of silverware is considered a failure. We must use this disappointment as motivation for the future."

Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, there's optimism within Bayern that they can bounce back, especially with a potential change in management. The departure of Thomas Tuchel offers an opportunity for a fresh start, with a new coach inheriting a talented squad capable of reclaiming the Bundesliga title and competing in the Champions League.

While Leverkusen's resurgence under Xabi Alonso poses a challenge, Bayern's resources and pedigree position them as contenders once again. Kane remains a pivotal figure in Bayern's plans, and with collective effort and determination, success is within reach.

Despite enduring a trophyless season, there's no indication that Bayern or Kane are considering parting ways. Kane's commitment and contributions make him indispensable to Bayern's future success. While his efforts thus far may not have yielded trophies, they lay the foundation for what promises to be an exciting journey ahead.

What's next?

Kane's unwavering loyalty to Tottenham has come at a cost. Despite being associated with the club for 15 years, including nine seasons in the first team, he opted to stay put during numerous opportunities to depart, even when clubs like Bayern and Real Madrid expressed interest. His commitment was commendable, but it left him without the silverware many feel he deserves.

Resisting tempting offers from top clubs, Kane remained dedicated to Spurs, signing a six-year contract extension in 2018. While this decision solidified his legacy as the club's all-time leading scorer, it also perpetuated his status as the 'nearly man,' a narrative he hoped to change by venturing to Bayern last year.

Yet, despite his prolific performances, Kane has faced criticism for his lack of tangible success, leading some to question his mentality. His journey to Bayern, where he embraced a new language and culture, symbolized his determination to redefine his story. Now settled in Germany, he aims to lead England to glory in the upcoming European Championship.

Success on the international stage could finally silence the doubts surrounding Kane, freeing him from the 'Spursy' stigma. Even if England falls short, Kane's tenure at Bayern offers ample opportunity to add to his trophy collection. With a renewed sense of purpose, he's poised to thrive as Bayern regroup for the next season, where his contributions are sure to be appreciated.

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