Sadio can “switch during the game”
Coach Julian Nagelsmann watched Mané’s performance from an unusual position. Nagelsmann did not sit on the podium as usual in the Allianz Arena, but in the journalists’ seats. The anticipation of Mané is “very great,” said the 34-year-old. However, Nagelsmann was not yet able to predict “100 percent” how much more variable the new player would make Munich. “We also have to wait and see what else happens on the transfer market. But Sadio is a player who can play four or five positions without any problems and can also switch during the game,” said the coach.
2025 – the end of the contract – was written on the back of the shirt that Mané showed at his presentation. The most prestigious numbers are assigned to Bayern. The number 10 that Mané had at Liverpool FC is worn by Leroy Sané at Munich. There is always speculation about changes from Lewandowski or Serge Gnabry, whose contract also expires in the summer of 2023. In the event of a change, the 9 (Lewandowski) or the 7 (Gnabry) could become free.
Mané’s shirt number “doesn’t matter for the time being”
“We haven’t talked about it yet. There are many nice numbers, I’ll decide when the time comes. It doesn’t matter to me for now,” said Mané himself.
Mané is the third signing this summer after signing right-back Noussair Mazraoui (24/contract until 2026) and midfielder Ryan Gravenberch (20/2027) from Ajax Amsterdam. The Munich left open whether there could be other new stars. “The transfer market is still open for a long time. We’re still watching what happens. We’re not satisfied with the second half of the season and know exactly where we need competition and where we need to set stimulus points,” said CEO Kahn.
Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic referred to existing ideas. “It’s only June. We’ll keep our eyes open and see what’s still possible and what’s financially feasible,” he said. There had been repeated speculation about striker Sasa Kalajdzic from VfB Stuttgart and midfielder Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig.