Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel is amazed to see how many football professionals and coaches are lured to Saudi Arabia by the incredible transfer fees and salaries. This also includes striker Sadio Mané, who has no sporting future at FC Bayern Munich before the almost permanent move to Club Al-Nassr, for which the multiple world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (38) has been playing since the beginning of the year.
Tuchel does not yet want to assess how the currently active Saudi market will affect the international football market. “I don’t really have a clever answer to that question,” said the 49-year-old on Tuesday during Bayern’s Asia trip in Singapore. “It’s a very new situation, similar to when China started its league. It’s kind of a similar gold rush there now,” said Tuchel.
“It’s the next league that’s trying to become more popular and a brand,” said Tuchel: “You’ve convinced a lot of players, a lot of quality players – and even coaches. It’s a completely new situation. And it’s too early for that me to have a clear opinion on that.” He is an observer of current developments, “a surprised observer”.
Mané is said to earn 40 million euros at Al-Nassr
The 31-year-old Mané, who despite a contract in Munich had no sporting future after a disappointing debut season, is now going to the Saudi Pro League. The German record champion had suggested a change to the Senegalese. Mané was released during the Asia trip to make the transfer to Al-Nassr perfect.
“I had a long hug with Sadio,” said Tuchel at Mané’s farewell in Tokyo last Sunday. Both were not happy about the development, but his early change was “the best solution in the situation” in the end. The Bayern coach assured that nothing would change in his personally good relationship with Mané. “I understand he’s injured, but I’m not happy either.”
Mané is said to be able to earn the equivalent of 40 million euros net per year at Al-Nassr. The Bavarians, in turn, should receive approximately the 32 million euros as a transfer fee that they paid to Liverpool FC a year ago.
