Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has conceded that the club's decision to not sign a like-for-like replacement for Robert Lewandowski has backfired.
After months of speculation, Bayern parted ways with their goalscoring talisman in the summer as Lewandowski completed a dream transfer to Barcelona.
Although Bayern were loath to lose the Poland star, who had enjoyed a record-breaking eight year spell in Munich, the shrewd capture of Sadio Mane from Liverpool just a few weeks earlier softened the blow of losing Lewandowski - particularly as Mane has shown in the past that he is adept at playing as a central striker.
However, Mane has struggled to live up to expectations at the Allianz Arena after scoring just six league goals and he was suspended by the club last week following an altercation with Leroy Sane. The ex-Liverpool man is alleged to have hit his teammate in the face following their 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Mane returned to the fold in midweek as Bayern's European exit was confirmed. And after seeing his side spurn numerous chances to salvage the tie during the second leg of their quarter-final tie, Salihamidzic admitted that Bayern lack a cutting edge.
"With Sadio Mane we have signed a new player who can also play as the No.9," he told reporters via Sport 1. "In retrospect, of course, you can be the clever one and say: That's not the case. Serge, King, Leroy, Sadio, Tel, Choupo, Thomas, Jamal – they are all top players."
Mane was hit with the biggest fine in Bayern history following his bust-up with Sane: the €350,000 that the versatile forward will have to pay far exceeds the €50,000 sum that Franck Ribery had to cough up when he was involved in an altercation with Arjen Robben back in 2012.
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The striker was also suspended for last weekend's Bundesliga match with Hoffenheim as a result of the incident, but he was defended by new Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel.
The German said: "It was a heavy incident - it was very important that it was cleared before the next training session. I've known Sadio for many years - he is a top professional. He's never had a situation like that. He is focused on football, he has my full confidence. Everybody has the right to make a mistake.
"This was too much - he apologised and I believe him. It was important that he stays in training, but he is suspended and he will be fined. I don't know where the money will go, the club and the player will decide. It is not my highest priority.
"It would be nice if things that happened in the locker room stayed in there. We don't need situations like that to prove our squad is alive. We don't tolerate things like that."
