Bayern Munich manager, Thomas Tuchel, expressed his sadness over Sadio Mane’s departure from the club, but he believes it is for the best.
Mane, who joined Bayern just a year ago, is set to join Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, joining the ranks of players moving to the Middle East. The 31-year-old’s reported deal with Al Nassr is worth around $45 million.
Mane expressed his regret about leaving Bayern, stating, “Leaving Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending.” Tuchel, speaking in Singapore ahead of a friendly against Liverpool, echoed Mane’s sentiments about the departure.
“We had a long, big hug and we both agreed that we don’t like what’s happening now, but we think it’s for the best in this situation,” said the Bayern coach.
“Sometimes things don’t work out as everybody wants it to work out. In person I have always had a very good relationship with him and this will stay.
“I can totally understand that he feels hurt and I also wouldn’t feel happy if things like this happened.
“Obviously it’s something that we didn’t bring into the full potential, which is my job and my responsibility, but in this particular situation, it was the best solution to untie the knot.”
While Mane is leaving Bayern, the German side are being heavily linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, with club representatives reportedly travelling to London to discuss a deal with the Premier League side on Monday.
While Tuchel refused to discuss the future of the England captain, he said the club is clear about the players they hope to bring in during the transfer window.
“I think it’s very important in our position to take clear positions and focus on a few players to strengthen the squad,” he said.
“We want to bring additional players to the squad that we are absolutely convinced of in terms of personality and quality, and to not be distracted in the transfer window by pressure of time or by alternatives.”