Julian Nagelsmann ‘seemed intimidated by Sadio Mane in dressing room bust-up after Senegal star erupted in front of team-mates over lack of game time’, before German was sacked as Bayern Munich boss
- Sadio Mane was furious at only being given 13 minutes in second leg against PSG
- Nagelsmann appeared ‘intimidated’ by Mane, according to reports in Germany
- Bayern’s squad were split over Nagelsmann’s sacking, with Mane in ‘out’ camp
Julian Nagelsmann ‘seemed intimidated in a furious dressing room row with Sadio Mane about his lack of game time’, before the Bayern Munich boss was sacked.
According to Bild, the argument came after Bayern’s 2-0 win over PSG in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on March 8.
They claim Mane was enraged at only being given eight minutes of game time off the bench and angrily confronted Nagelsmann in front of shocked team-mates, who noted that the 35-year-old boss appeared intimidated.
Nagelsmann had waited until the 82nd minute of the game to bring on Mane, with the Germans progressing comfortably, 3-0 on aggregate.
The Senegalese forward – who signed for £27.4m in the summer from Liverpool – was fit and available for the clash but given a place on the bench and has not enjoyed a stellar first season at the Bundesliga club.
Sadio Mane was on the bench for the second leg against PSG before coming on late
He applauded fans after the game but then went into the dressing room and angrily argued with Julian Nagelsmann about his lack of game time, according to BILD
Mane was not at his best under Nagelsmann and frustrated at a lack of game time
Mane will hope for more success under new manager Thomas Tuchel, who was announced as the next man in at the weekend.
Nagelsmann’s dismissal came as a surprise to many, with Bayern still in the Champions League and only one point off Borussia Dortmund at the summit of the table.
He led the team to a domestic double last season and is still regarded as one of the finest young managers in the game – with Tottenham interested in making him their next boss after Antonio Conte’s sacking.
There were frustrations from the Bayern hierarchy that a fragility had crept into their play.
In the 10 games that they dropped points in the league, Bayern twice conceded a stoppage-time goal from a winning position and have thrown away winning positions on five occasions.
Bayern’s play under Nagelsmann became laboured, flat, and lacking in control and ambition.
He also refused to give young players much of a chance, with fans baffled at the lack of action £16m former Ajax man Ryan Gravenberch was given.
And of course his use of Mane came under the microscope too.
Nagelsmann cut his holiday to Austria short to return to Bavaria where he was then sacked
Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich (centre) were said to be the biggest fans of Nagelsmann
He was often played through the middle, when his natural game is out wide, although the 30-year-old has also been hit with injuries this season and failed to keep up momentum after a strong start.
He has nine goals and four assists in all competitions this season but will hope to kick on under Tuchel.
The squad will have to come together again having been divided in their opinions on Nagelsmann.
Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich were among his supporters, with the former saying: ‘I would be lying if I said the last few days hadn’t affected me. It was extremely difficult. We’ve had a very close relationship with Julian. I probably saw him more than my family. It was a shock!’
Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich were reportedly against Nagelsmann due to the dismissal of goalkeeping coach Tony Tapalovic after almost 12 years at the club.
Also against Nagelsmann were said to be Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Joao Cancelo and Mane.
Mane will look to push on and ignite his career with the German side under Thomas Tuchel