In Focus: Mane's Munich mess could lead to Premier League return

Sadio Mane's dream move to Bayern Munich is rapidly turning into something of a nightmare. 

The Senegal international has struggled to replicate the form that he showed at Liverpool since his transfer to Bavaria. 

In midweek, he was involved in an altercation with team-mate Leroy Sane following the Champions League defeat at Manchester City, which has resulted in the forward being suspended by his club. 

Ahead of Bayern's Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim, we take a look at what the future holds for Mane. 

Tuchel verdict

Mane is reported to have punched Sane during a heated dressing room row after Bayern's humiliating 3-0 defeat against City in their quarter-final first leg.

In his press conference ahead of the Hoffenheim match, recently-appointed boss Thomas Tuchel revealed that the 31-year-old would be suspended for just one game and that crisis talks have proved successful. 

Tuchel said: "I talked with them and we cleared the situation. It was necessary. 

"It was very important before we entered the next day's training we cleared it clearly and communicated to everybody that everyone who was here training to be positive and be able to train all together. 

"This is not the first team for it to happen to and it won't be the last team. For me, I have to say how the players dealt with it and how both players involved dealt with it, it had a cleaning effect." 

When quizzed on whether Mane had failed in his responsibility to Bayern's younger fans, the German manager disagreed, adding: "I am the first advocate in defending this player.

"Everyone can commit mistakes and he is a role model. He presented himself as a man, communicated and acted like a role model."

Injury woes

Mane has only started in one of the four games since Tuchel took charge last month, appearing as a substitute in the other three. His suspension will now see him miss Saturday's game with Hoffenheim. 

After leaving Liverpool for Bayern in a £35million deal last summer, he made a bright enough start to life at his new club. 

His first 20 games saw him score 11 goals and make three assists. He then picked up a fibula injury on the eve of the World Cup, which saw him unable to represent Senegal. 

Since returning to fitness in February, Mane has failed to score in nine games, making one assist. He has only started three of these matches, making six substitute appearances. 

During his press conference, Tuchel was asked about the player's form since moving from the Premier League. 

The ex-Chelsea manager said: "He just lacks confidence and he has to adapt a bit more to the football culture here, a different role and a different team. 

"Maybe this is why he lost a step, doesn't have the easiness he had at Liverpool. Maybe he takes a bit of time to react." 

Transfer temptation

Tuchel's words suggest that Mane may be given the time to make a success of life at Bayern. 

There may however, be a temptation for the club to cash in on him. With his reputation still strong in the Premier League, it is possible that the Bundesliga leaders could recoup a decent fee for the Champions League winner.

With Tuchel set to plot a major rebuild over the summer, Mane's future in Germany appears to be in the balance and a quick return to England should not be ruled out.