Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic believes it is only a matter of time before Sadio Mane finds his best form for the German side following his summer switch from Liverpool.
Mane starred in Liverpool’s team for six years, winning every major trophy available, before opting to move to Bayern for £35.1m in June.
He has struggled for consistency in the opening weeks of the season, leading to some speculation that he is unhappy in his new environment, but Salihamidzic is not concerned and has claimed that Mane is still just settling in at his new club.
‘Sadio still needs a little time, he has to get used to the Bundesliga too, but he will,’ Salihamidzic told Bild.
‘I speak regularly with him. I know what it’s like to arrive as a newcomer to a team, in a different country, in a different city, in a slightly different football culture.
‘Sadio is in this process, everything will soon be more familiar to him and we will soon see that on the pitch too. He is one of the best players in the world, we will still have a lot of joy with him.’
Mane made a fast start to life at Bayern, scoring three goals in his opening three league games, while also finding the net in the German Super Cup and German Cup.
However, he has not netted in his last four league outings or his two Champions League appearances for the team.
The 30-year-old has also been regularly substituted in recent weeks, which was not a regular occurrence during his time at Anfield.
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann recently suggested that Mane doesn’t look happy at Bayern, claiming the Senegalese star is being played out of position and hasn’t been ‘integrated’ into the team properly.
Salihamidzic appears to disagree, though, and expects Mane to prove his class sooner rather than later.