Sadio Mane is embarking on a new adventure with Bayern Munich, having ended his six-year love affair with Liverpool last week. The Senegalese star is one of the German giants’ marquee signings of the summer as they look to strengthen their grip on the Bundesliga and bolster their Champions League chances.
On Monday morning, Bayern confirmed that the 30-year-old will don the number 17 shirt, an unconventional digit for a star player on paper, but one that has been worn by some club legends down the years. We take a trip down memory lane to see who Mane will be looking to live up to or emulate over the next few years in Bavaria.
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Jerome Boateng
The towering centre-half was an integral part of Bayern’s recent surge of success. Although he is no longer plying his trade at the Allianz Arena, he firmly became a fan favourite when he joined them from Manchester City in 2011, enjoying a decade with Die Bayern. He won nine consecutive Bundesliga titles, five DFB-Pokals and two Champions Leagues. He left behind quite a legacy.
Mark van Bommel
When a player becomes Bayern’s first non-German club captain, you know they were special. Dutchman Van Bommel was a superstar defensive midfielder who joined the club having enjoyed success with PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona. He joined the club for just €6 million and proved to be a bargain. He instantly announced himself, offering strength in the middle of the pitch in his debut campaign in 2006-07. He then became captain the following year, replacing Oliver Kahn. He helped Bayern to two domestic doubles in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Christian Ziege
The German left wing-back was a stellar player for Bayern between 1990-97, scoring 46 goals and providing 41 assists across all competitions. Ziege was just as effective at the back as he was going forward. His left foot was remarkable and he was quite a specialist from set pieces. He showed excellent form for Bayern and during his seven-year spell he won two Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Cup.
Thorsten Fink
The defensive midfielder spent seven years at Bayern, firstly as a mainstay in the lineup before losing his place in the side in 2002 and then getting moved to the club’s reserve team in the third tier. However, at his height he was instrumental in the middle of the pitch for Bayern and he helped the club to four Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals and a Champions League.
All these players established themselves as legends at the Allianz Arena and Mane will be hoping that when he leaves, he will be departing with similar status. He inherits the shirt which was vacated by midfielder Michael Cuisance in January who left for Venezia after his move from Borussia Monchengladbach didn’t quite go as either party would have liked.
Mane now has the chance to restore glory to the number 17 and given his success at Liverpool, it seems inevitable that he will.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
