Al Ittihad’s manager, Nuno Espirito Santo (49), has dismissed media speculations of a rift with Karim Benzema (35) as “baseless,” following the French striker’s inaugural Saudi Pro League goal in a 4-0 triumph over Al-Riyadh on Thursday.
Reports from Saudi media had suggested that Benzema, the Ballon d’Or awardee, who hadn’t found the net in the initial two league matches, was dissatisfied with the treatment he received from the Portuguese coach.
Furthermore, there were indications that the former manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers believed that the former Real Madrid captain didn’t align with his tactical approach.
Nuno faced backlash from fans on social media and within the Saudi media, even facing calls for his removal, despite guiding Al Ittihad to their first league championship since 2009 in the previous season.
“It’s a big transfer for Bayern and for the whole Bundesliga. He’s a great striker. The Bundesliga is not an easy league. He definitely needs a bit of time, for the culture, the language, for everything.”
Kane has had a good start to life in Germany, scoring once and providing an assist in his first Bundesliga game as Bayern Munich won 4-0 against Werder Bremen last weekend.
In the meantime, Harry Kane was absent from Bayern Munich’s customary Lederhosen photoshoot, during which his fellow teammates exchanged their jerseys for the traditional local attire associated with Munich’s Oktoberfest, as reported by GOAL.
Bayern officially announced that the 30-year-old striker missed the event due to his wife Kate delivering their fourth child, named Henry Edward Kane. Kane himself shared this news on his social media platforms.
Kane marked his debut for Bayern last weekend in a match against Werder Bremen, making a memorable entrance by scoring in his inaugural appearance for the Bavarian team.
Kane tipped for Lewandowski’s record
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Harry Kane netted his first Bayern Munich goal in the Bavarians’ 4-0 victory against Werder Bremen in his first Bundesliga game, prompting high praise from Lothar Matthaus.
Bayern Munich struggled to replace Robert Lewandowski last season after the Poland forward joined Barcelona, as the Germans struggled to retain the Bundesliga title on the final day.
Matthaus – a legend of the club, has tipped Kane to adequately replace Lewandowski with his goals this season, an area where the Bavarians were lacking last season.