Transfer: from Liverpool to Bayern, Sadio Mané, the reasons for a departure
The Senegalese Sadio Mané, scorer with Liverpool against Villarreal, in the semi-final return of the Champions League.
REUTERS - PABLO MORANO
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
3 mins
Senegalese international Sadio Mané has officially left English club Liverpool for German side Bayern Munich.
A choice that can be justified in more ways than one.
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Everything to be happy and yet... A contract proposal to extend a lease that ended in a year, star status, if not legend, in a legendary club, and yet... Sadio Mané has decided to end his great adventure with Liverpool, which he joined in 2016 and with whom he scored 120 goals in 267 matches.
And yet...
The CAN, the turning point
In six seasons at Liverpool, Sadio Mané has known everything.
From the joy of great conquests (Champions League 2019 and Premier League trophy 2020) to the disappointment of the C1 finals (2018 and 2022).
Goals in shambles, class actions, and above all a veneration of the red people of the Mersey.
But, the love story between the club and the Senegalese international experienced an episode which would have pushed Mané to a departure in believing the entourage of the Lion.
The African champion with Senegal would not have appreciated the relative discretion of his club after the coronation against Egypt of Mohamed Salah last February in Cameroon while all his teammates in the selection were celebrated with honors in their club.
Liverpool would have been careful not to feast with their African champion for fear of offending the Pharaoh at a time of the season when the Reds needed everyone to perhaps achieve a historic quadruple.
From this moment, the native of Bambali would have decided to lend an attentive ear to the solicitations and to remain deaf to the Liverpool contract proposal.
Bayern, a logical choice
Sadio Mané could have discovered Germany much earlier.
The former FC Metz player was followed for a long time by Borussia Dortmund's… Jurgen Klopp between 2012 and 2014 before the German technician attracted him to Liverpool.
At Bayern, the Senegalese shouldn't have too much trouble adapting
to the level of German culture and language.
The Lion has indeed evolved for two seasons in Austria (Red Bull Salzburg) and has very solid notions in German.
He had no trouble discussing football on the phone with Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann.
On the other hand, Bayern is the ideal club to stay at the top level with the ambition of winning the Champions League again.
At 30, Mané will evolve in a more "relaxing" club considering the intensity of Liverpool matches which do not play any "easy" match and the high demands of Jürgen Klopp.
In Germany, Munich's main opponent, Borussia Dortmund will not pose the same threat as Manchester City in England in a championship where Bayern has just won ten consecutive league titles.
The salary was also an argument for changing tunics for a Mané who was paid less than players like James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, or Naby Keïta.
Even if Liverpool were ready to double Mané's 6.2 million annual gross, the latter will hit the jackpot with a much higher salary.
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