Oliver Kahn has spoken openly about his time with Leroy Sané at FC Bayern. The former CEO describes how much persuasion was needed with the attacking player
When Oliver Kahn was still in a managerial position at FC Bayern, Leroy Sané was one of the personnel issues that repeatedly caused discussion. The former international goalkeeper now looked back on this phase on Sky – and described the situation with remarkable openness
„We always had this issue with Leroy,“ Kahn recalled of their time together in Munich, referring to the winger’s lack of consistency, whose performances often fluctuated and whose body language regularly triggered debates
Kahn also described personal conversations with Sané: „I told him that if I had your talent, I’d be Messi. He always looked at me with wide eyes. He didn’t really know what to say. So I said, just show it,“ the 56-year-old revealed. For him, that was precisely the decisive point: „And that’s exactly what it is to push a player like that. To make him perform.“
Last summer, Sané finally left FC Bayern on a free transfer and joined Galatasaray. In Munich, despite phases of strong performances, the impression always remained that his enormous potential was not permanently exploited
Kahn on Hoeneß and the transfer market
In the same interview, Kahn also commented on Uli Hoeneß‘ recent statements about player advisors. The honorary president had recently expressed criticism of excessive demands. Kahn certainly sees strategy behind this: „There is of course also a strategic reason why Uli takes it all back a little every now and then and piles it a little deeper. When it comes to contract extensions again, when it might be about transfers again. People shouldn’t have the feeling that you only need to go into your money bin.“
With regard to the international transfer market, Kahn also explained: „There is a market for absolutely top players and this market is highly competitive. And of course the advisors know that too. There are a few clubs, maybe we’re talking about ten to 15 clubs, who are in a position to pay really immense sums of money for top players. Ultimately, for a top club like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or whatever they’re all called, it’s about having the top players in their ranks.“
