Sadio Mane has discussed his fight with Leroy Sane for the first time and said he hopes it hasn’t affected his future at Bayern Munich.
The former Liverpool forward had a very difficult first season in Bavaria, which was headlined by a physical confrontation with his own teammate.
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Already experiencing a number of issues in front of goal, Mane left his Bayern future in the balance when he reportedly punched Sane in the dressing room after a Champions League match against Manchester City in April.
Those claims across the German media were further cemented when Bayern suspended and fined the Senegalese forward, and then Sane appeared with a swollen lip for their next match.
Discussing the high-profile incident for the first time with 2stvsenegal, Mane began: “As I’ve always said, I’ve never liked comfort. I’ve never liked that.
“Afterwards, there are incidents. It happens, it’s over. We were able to solve this little problem.
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“It’s also good to solve some problems, maybe not in this way, but it’s behind us now, we will try to fight together to be able to help the club achieve its objectives next season.”
After securing a £35million move away from Anfield in 2022, Mane only managed seven Bundesliga goals in his debut season, his worst-ever top-flight return.
He also lost his starting berth to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and failed to impress despite being given a chance by new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Discussing the campaign, Mane admitted: “Yes it was complicated, it was a very complicated season.
“But as I said, it happens in life. It was the case for me, but hey, I just took it as a complicated season that can happen at any time. It wasn’t a surprise, because I expected things to be a little complicated.
“But that’s normal, because we are all footballers, we like a challenge. And I think it’s a big challenge, so it’s up to me to do everything to meet it.”
Rumours are rife that Bayern are willing to give up on Mane after a single season, but he doesn’t see it that way.
Asked if he will continue with the club, he replied: “Yes, God willing. If everything goes well, I will return to Bayern.”
