Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane hit a new low in Bayern Munich's last game before the international break as he was hooked by manager Julian Nagelsmann at half-time.
Mane joined Bayern from Liverpool over the summer after six years at Anfield, and made a reasonable start to life in Bavaria. Since picking up an injury which kept him out of the World Cup, though, the Senegal international has found things more challenging.
The 30-year-old returned to action at the end of February, making three appearances from the bench before earning starts against Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen. He has failed to score in any of the matches, though, and made way at the break as his team lost at the BayArena on Sunday,
According to Sport1, Nagelsmann wants more from his summer signing, while it has been suggested the injury isn't the only reason for Mane's struggles. The Senegalese is said to be feeling the effects of several years in which he barely missed a game at Liverpool, though there are other theories being floated elsewhere.
The Liverpool Echo has made reference to Liverpool's quadruple chase from last season potentially impacting Mane. Members of the squad who have remained at Anfield have found it hard to replicate last season's efforts, with Jurgen Klopp's side chasing four trophies going into the final month of the season but ending up with two.
Mane and his Liverpool team-mates were denied the Premier League title on the final day of the season before losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. They did win both domestic cups, but this year the Reds will finish empty-handed.
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Despite the recent struggles, Mane has been full of praise for Nagelsmann. The forward has 11 goals in all competitions this season under his new club manager, and also netted for Senegal in the September international break.
“Klopp is Klopp. He’s a mix of the old and the new generation," Mane told DAZN. He’s got so much experience and his life is all about football, but he’s also demanding. Sometimes, very, very, very, very much so. He is very emotional and sometimes shouts. Almost ready to fight.
“(Nagelsmann) is rather calmer. In terms of football, I don’t see any major differences. They like types of players who press high, because their teams are high. It’s easier for me because I’ve almost only had German coaches in my career.”
Mane has returned to Senegal's squad for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as they look to set themselves up for a title defence. After that, he has a chance to strengthen his reputation at Bayern as they fight for glory on three fronts.
Nagelsmann's team are one point off the top of the table ahead of a clash with league leaders Borussia Dortmund in April. They are also into the quarter-finals of the German Cup, where they are due to face Freiburg, while Manchester City await in the last eight of the Champions League.
