Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich’s head coach has broken his silence following the saga of the ex-Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane who assaulted his teammate Leroy Sane after their loss to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.
Sadio Mane reportedly punched Leroy Sane after the German team suffered a 3-0 defeat in their first-leg quarter-final tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, 11th of April, 2023.
Sane suffered a cut to his lip in the altercation and the two players had to be separated by other teammates after they were spotted arguing on the pitch late in the game.
However, Sadio Mane, a former Liverpool star, was suspended and fined by Bayern Munich for making contact with Sane in the locker room following Bayern’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final encounter.
Two-time African Footballer of the Year and former Liverpool player Mane reportedly complained to reporters about the manner the German winger Sane spoke to him after the loss.
Thomas Tuchel, speaking for the first time in public since the heated altercation, lamented the leak of information from the locker room but maintained that Thursday morning’s crisis meeting ‘had a purifying impact’ and that Mane is ready to be included back into the team next week.
Thomas Tuchel said the league leaders had “Cleared the situation”.
“It was a heavy incident, it was very important that it was cleared before the next training session”, Tuchel added.
” This was too much, he apologised and I believe him. It was important that he stays in training, but he is suspended and he will be fined, I don’t know where the money will go, the club and the player will decide. It is not my highest priority”.
Thomas Tuchel was asked if Mane had failed as a role model for younger fans and he disagreed, saying the winger had responded admirably.
“It would be nice if things that happened in the locker room stayed in there. We don’t need situations like that to prove our squad is alive. We don’t tolerate things like that”, Thomas Tuchel claimed.
Since leaving Liverpool for Bayern, Mane has struggled, and Tuchel agrees that the Senegalese player appears to have lost his spark.
Sane reportedly requested Bayern’s management to spare the Senegalese star’s job, and on Thursday morning the two were spotted reunited in training.
In a statement, Bayern announced that he will not be traveling to Hoffenheim for Saturday’s crucial Bundesliga match.
Mane, who makes £17 million per year, will also be subjected to a fine, the club stated.
What’s next for Sadio Mane?
The African Cup of Nations winner will be back in action for Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final return leg on Wednesday, 19th of April, 2023, at the Allianz Arena Stadium.
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