Bayern Pin Hopes On ‘Messiah’ Kane As Bundesliga Returns
Bayern Munich are pinning their hopes on England captain Harry Kane to return a stuttering staff contemporary off their worst season in a decade to the European elite. Bayern’s eleventh straight Bundesliga title didn’t paper over the cracks of a aspect which is but to click on because the arrival of coach Thomas Tuchel in March. Final week’s signing of Kane for 100 million euros ($109 million) from Premier League aspect Tottenham broke the German membership’s switch document.
The deal additionally broke a long-standing promise from former boss Uli Hoeness that the membership “would not purchase a participant for 100 million even when I had the cash”.
However whether or not the 30-year-old Kane, who arrives after a profitable however trophyless profession in north London, can actually be Bayern’s saviour stays to be seen.
– ‘A foul begin’ –
Bayern limped to the title in 2022-23, successful on aim distinction after Borussia Dortmund’s last-day collapse to attract at house with mid-table Mainz.
Bayern’s factors complete of 71 was their lowest since 2010-11, when the aspect completed third beneath caretaker coach Andries Jonker.
The shock firing of Julian Nagelsmann for Tuchel in March didn’t have the specified impact, with Bayern knocked out of the German Cup and the Champions League quickly afterwards.
Former Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic repeatedly dismissed criticisms of the staff beneath Tuchel, saying the aspect wanted time to get used to the Champions League-winning coach’s strategies.
In late Might, simply days earlier than he himself was sacked, Salihamidzic advised Sky: “Thomas Tuchel simply wants the pre-season with the staff, then every thing might be higher.”
Early proof nevertheless suggests Bayern haven’t solved their issues from final season.
On Saturday, Bayern have been overwhelmed 3-0 at house by RB Leipzig within the German Tremendous Cup with Kane making little influence, making his debut as a late substitute.
Identical to final season, Bayern lacked fluency and coherence, with a “sorry” Tuchel saying Kane “most likely thinks we have not been coaching right here for weeks”.
Tuchel blamed his aspect’s “unhealthy begin” to the match and stated he noticed a “big discrepancy” between what his staff produced at coaching and what they confirmed on the pitch.
Tuchel stated he was “frightened”, telling reporters he has “no resolution” to the aspect’s issues.
Tuchel has publicly known as for a brand new defensive midfielder, whereas the continuing saga surrounding injured captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was made worse by the sale of substitute Yann Sommer to Inter Milan.
– ‘Strolling on water’ –
Even for the richest membership in Germany, the outlay on Kane was lavish and the Bayern brass will need an instantaneous return.
Tuchel stated as a lot after Saturday’s consequence, saying Kane would “quickly assist the staff and elevate us as much as a brand new stage”.
“We’ve got to get to know him however he’ll play each recreation.”
Kane embraced the expectations on him at his unveiling on Sunday, saying: “I am right here to win the Champions League with this staff.”
The sky-high expectations on Kane come after the failed signing of Sadio Mane.
Mane, one other arrival from the Premier League unveiled to nice fanfare, lasted only one disappointing yr in Munich, having didn’t step into the footwear of the departed Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski scored 344 targets in 375 Bayern appearances throughout his eight years on the membership, making the Pole an nearly not possible act to observe.
As a real centre-forward, Kane is extra doubtless than the Senegalese to match Lewandowski’s output, however whether or not he alone can return Bayern to the European elite is a job questioned by the membership’s rivals.
Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl stated after his aspect’s dominant efficiency on Saturday that the hype round Kane made the England captain appear “just like the messiah, strolling on water”.
Kane’s first true check will come on Friday, when he’ll begin up entrance as Bayern tackle Werder Bremen within the season opener.
If Kane takes too lengthy to resemble the second coming of Lewandowski, the England captain will quickly realise how shortly persistence wears skinny in Bavaria.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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