Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane row 'settled' says Thomas Tuchel, talks of 'positive atmosphere' at Bayern Munich
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Updated 14/04/2023 at 15:08 GMT
It's been a difficult start to Thomas Tuchel's reign at Bayern Munich so far. As if being parachuted into a super club expecting instant success wasn't enough of a challenge, he saw his team well beaten by Manchester City in the Champions League, and since then has had to defuse a row between two of his star players, Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane. Tuchel said he was the "first one to defend" Mane.
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The Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane row is "settled" says Thomas Tuchel, as he hailed the way it was resolved by the players and the wider Bayern Munich squad.
Mane was reported by Bild, Sky Germany and Sport1 to have punched Sane in the face in the aftermath of Bayern's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad, with the two forwards having initially had a set-to on the pitch towards the end of the game.
The Senegalese was then fined and dropped by Bayern as a result, with the club revealing he will miss the Bundesliga encounter with Hoffenheim on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of that match, Tuchel revealed that he had brokered a resolution between the pair.
"That’s settled," Tuchel said. "A game and a fine are the consequences of what happened.
"I didn’t see it myself because I was in the coaching room. Of course I immediately spoke to everyone involved, the players and the staff.
"Because it concerned us and because it was a blatant incident, it was important that we clarify the matter before we start the next training session. We did that yesterday.
"We have cleared up everything so that we can train positively with each other again.
"The way both players involved dealt with it, and the way the other players dealt with it, it had a cleansing effect. We had a positive atmosphere yesterday and today."
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Sadio Mane (L) and Leroy Sane (R) during Bayern Munich's 3-0 loss to Manchester City
Image credit: Getty Images
Tuchel continued by defending Mane, and lamented that the incident had leaked out from the Bayern dressing room.
"I’m the first one to defend him," the ex-Chelsea boss said.
"I’ve known him for a very long time and only know him as an absolute professional.
"I also know his entourage. He has never been guilty of anything. It was against the code of conduct, he recognised it and apologised.
"That’s why he has me with him. It’s important that he was back in training right away, that was also important to the players.
"It would be so nice that if something happens in the dressing room, it stays there. Then we wouldn’t have to discuss that now. Everyone makes mistakes.
"Sadio made a mistake. But he – just like Leroy – acted in a very exemplary way. I wish it stayed in the dressing room."
Tuchel, who took over from Julian Nagelsmann last month, admitted his start at the club has been challenging, but declared himself content with the "highly professional" atmosphere.
"It's been very intense," he said.
"It appears a lot more turbulent from the outside than it really is. Internally, it's a highly professional and very relaxed environment.
"There's been a lot going on, but in a good sense.
"The focus here is on the sport."
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