Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel has admitted Sadio Mane has fallen 'short of expectations' at the Allianz Arena following last summer's €41m transfer from Liverpool.
Mane took on a new challenge by joining Bayern after winning six trophies in six seasons with Liverpool. But the Senegal international struggled to nail down a regular position or deliver the kind of form that made him one of the best in the world during his time at Anfield.
He didn't start any of Bayern's final three Bundesliga games of last season when the title race with Borussia Dortmund was coming down to the wire. Overall, he started only 18 times in the league - partly due to injury - and scored just seven times. He managed 12 in all competitions.
Given Bayern didn't directly replace Robert Lewandowski when he joined Barcelona and Mane spent much of the campaign operating up front, it was a case of major disappointment from all sides.
Frustrations boiled over in April when Mane became embroiled in a confrontation with teammate Leroy Sane at the end of a Champions League game against Manchester City. Sane ended up with a bloody lip, while Mane was fined a record amount for a Bayern player and suspended for one game.
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"He fell short of expectations," Tuchel, who was appointed in March, told Sport1. "The competitive situation is extremely high, the starting position is not easy for him. The player knows that too, he knows my opinion and the opinion of the club."
As a result of his poor first season, Mane's future at Bayern has become uncertain.
90min understands Bayern are trying to find a new club for Mane and see the Saudi Pro League as an ideal option given interest from European teams is scarce. As of June, the 31-year-old wasn't interested in moving to Saudi Arabia, refusing to even engage in talks.
But Mane is a new target for Al-Ettifaq, who are targeting a number of former Liverpool players with Steven Gerrard recently appointed as manager. The same team also hope to bring in Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Thomas Tuchel reveals how Sadio Mane has fallen 'short of expectation' at Bayern Munich.