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Bayern Munich director weighs in on Sadio Mane’s struggles

Sadio Mane
© FC Bayern Munich
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The Senegal international has scored one goal in his last seven games across all competitions for his new club.

Sadio Mane is one of the world’s best players and will do well for Bayern Munich, according to sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

The 30-year-old forward had a promising start at the Allianz Arena following his €32 million summer transfer from Liverpool. He scored three times in his first three Bundesliga games. But since scoring against Viktoria Köln in the DFB-Pokal on August 31, he has failed to find the back of the net or make an assist.

Salihamidzic backs Mane

Salihamidzic, however, is not worried. The former midfielder knows what Mane is going through, having had a similar experience when he swapped Bayern for Juventus in 2007.

“Sadio still needs a bit of time. He has to get used to the Bundesliga, but he will. I know how it is to join a new team, in another city, another country with another football culture,” Salihamidzic told BILD.

“I joined Juventus at 30 years old. I had won the Champions League, Bundesliga and Pokal with Bayern, but even as an experienced and successful player, you need a while to get used to your new environment in order to fully focus on football and perform consistently.

“Sadio is still in this process. Everything will soon be more familiar to him and we’ll soon see it on the pitch.

“I speak regularly with him, but I also give him space. He has to organize himself in a way that he feels at home in Munich – he’s doing that. Sadio is one of the best players in the world. He’ll bring very good performances. We’ll still have a lot of joy with him.

“Sadio plays for the team. His teammates can see that. They all know that Sadio is an important member of the group. They will help him because, when in top form, he helps us achieve our goals.”

Mane and Bayern resume their 2022/23 campaign on Friday at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

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