DFB referee boss Lutz Michael Fröhlich sharply criticized the behavior of Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann after the 2: 3 at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. “I find it profoundly disrespectful to use the term ‘pack’, no matter what perspective you have on a situation. That’s when the understanding on the part of the referee ends,” said Fröhlich at Sport1.
After the final whistle of the game on Saturday, Nagelsmann had severely criticized referee Tobias Welz for the early red card against Dayot Upamecano from Munich. The expression “softened pack” was also made, as the Bayern coach admitted in the ZDF interview: “Yes, but I don’t always mean the referees by that.” The 35-year-old later apologized for his choice of words on social networks , in which he says he went too far. The control committee of the German Football Association has now initiated investigations against Nagelsmann.
Referee chief: “Where is this going?”
“It’s not about punishment for me, that’s not my issue at all. It’s about much more: How do you deal with different perspectives and opinions? And how do you deal with decisions that do not meet your own expectations? Where is that supposed to lead if it always leads to bigger headlines and conflicts?” added Fröhlich and had some advice ready for Nagelsmann: “Just take a deep breath, pause and don’t always use the public stage to present yourself and your perspective as the only correct portrayal.”
Meanwhile, star striker Sadio Mané has returned to team training after a long injury break at FC Bayern. The 30-year-old took part in the public session in front of around 700 fans at the German record champions on Sunday. “The training was great. The feeling was fantastic and I’m very, very happy to be back with the team,” said the Senegalese in a video interview with the club. He is now looking forward to the atmosphere again, scoring goals and winning.
Mané was part of a training group led by Thomas Müller and Dayot Upamecano, who was sent off with a red card and who only played briefly the day before in the 2-3 draw in Mönchengladbach. Stars like Joshua Kimmich or Leroy Sané who had been under stress for a longer period of time were allowed to regenerate on Sunday. However, they occasionally posed for photos with the fans on Säbener Straße and gave autographs.
Mané’s competitive comeback is now imminent. The summer signing from Liverpool FC injured his fibula head on November 8th in FC Bayern’s 6-1 win in the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen. He had to have an operation and missed the World Cup in Qatar. For weeks he has been working individually on his return to competition.
“He’s in top shape, goes along with everything, he has no more problems. In general, the rehab is structured in such a way that there is full exertion, of course without a duel. Theoretically, after a week of team training, he can play again physically,” coach Nagelsmann described Mané’s progress before the Gladbach game.
Before the round of 16 second leg in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain on March 8, Mané could still collect minutes in the top game against Union Berlin and VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. The Munich team won the first leg 1-0 after a goal by Kingsley Coman.
