Believes in the DFB comeback
©IMAGO
Leroy Sané (29) can well imagine ending his career at his training club FC Schalke 04. “Maybe play for Schalke again, who knows. That would be exciting,” replied the attacker “Kicker” interview when asked about a possible Bundesliga comeback. “I think that would be a great story, but I still have a bit of time. I’m only turning 30,” Sané added.
Sané, who is currently under contract with Galatasaray, made his Bundesliga debut with the second division club in 2014. In 2016 he moved to Manchester City in a record departure for 52 million euros, four years later FC Bayern put 49 million euros on the table. There he met ex-Schalke colleague Leon Goretzka (30) again.
“It was pretty funny how Leon and I walked in every time we were at Schalke with Bayern and looked at each other: ‘It was always really cool here.’ “It was always a great feeling to be able to play football in the stadium in front of the fans,” said the Essen native, who was also at “Sky“Toyed with a return: “Let’s see where my path takes me. If an opportunity arises at some point, I would certainly be open to it.”
Sané wishes Schalke, who lost their lead in the 2nd Bundesliga after losing 2-1 at KSC, a return to the upper house. “We all know that Schalke belongs in the first division. What the fans are doing even in the second division is very special.” Despite the recent defeat, new coach Miron Muslic’s team convinced him. “You are doing very well, it has become a community again,” praised Sané. “The trainer is doing a good job, he comes across as cool. I also see a few videos on social media. I’m really happy about it.”
After Galatasaray transfer: Sané believes in DFB comeback
The winger, who was recently not selected, also spoke about his own future in the national team. “It is still my big goal to be invited to the next courses and then of course to be there and play at the World Cup,” said Sané. However, he does not yet know whether he will be in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers in Luxembourg (November 14th) and against Slovakia (November 17th). National coach Julian Nagelsmann wants to announce the squad on Thursday.
Sané first has to prove himself in Turkey, Nagelsmann explained his decision not to play in the last few games. The attacker was slow to get going at Galatasaray, with three goals and two assists to his name after 13 appearances. Even after a devaluation from 32 million to 25 million euros in the latest update, Sané is still the Süper Lig professional with the fifth highest market value.
“With regard to the league, I (…) have already emphasized that everyone can have their own perspective on certain things. I completely accept that. I had a very good exchange with Julian, even now after the last course in October,” said Sané. “He simply told me that I should get back on track, that I should find my rhythm again and get back to my old strength. If everything works out, there shouldn’t be many problems getting back into the national team. I don’t think the quality of the leagues plays a big role. Portugal’s national team includes players who play in Saudi Arabia. And they are still just as good as they used to be.”
Sané slowly feels like he has arrived in Istanbul. “I’ve settled in to some extent, I feel comfortable and I’m just happy to be here,” he explained and added with regard to the sport: “There is definitely more to come from me. I had to get used to the first few games, get to know the team, understand our style of play and my teammates. Things didn’t work out so well at the beginning, but I’m very happy with the last few games. Slowly everything is getting rolling.”
The fan culture in Turkey is “special, very pleasant and exciting. I think it’s cool how the fans love and live football here,” said Sané, for whom it is special “how familiar everything is here, how much the team and fans stand together and how everyone helps you (…). That’s why it wasn’t that difficult for me to arrive here. Everyone supported me very well and offered to help me with a variety of things.” The expectations at Galatasaray are high. “We are the favorites in the league, we want and have to become champions. But the big goal for the club and us players is to be as successful as possible in the Champions League. To draw attention to ourselves. We have a good team and therefore have enough ambition to do well there. That’s a big challenge, but we’re happy to accept it.”
Why Sané left FC Bayern for Galatasaray
Saying goodbye to FC Bayern was also a new challenge. “I had my time there, my career only lasts for a certain time. And during that time I try to take on certain challenges,” said Sané, explaining his reasons for the change. The talks with the Munich team about an extension were almost concluded.
“We had already come a long way, that’s true. But I had developed the feeling that I wanted to do something new and experience something new. That’s why I took this path. I think everyone understood that. We parted ways with Bayern on good terms,” said Sané. “Before you make a final decision, you weigh everything up again, think again. For me, the predominant feeling was that I wanted to do something new.”
Sané is not bothered by the fact that many fans or experts see the move to Turkey as a step backwards. “Everyone can have their opinion, I have nothing against that. What matters to me is: What do I want? What is the challenge? Gala is a big club with big plans, known worldwide. It was exciting for me to experience it, to follow this path,” he concluded.