When Robert Lewandowski left Bayern Munich for FC Barcelona in summer 2022, the German champions faced a striker void. Sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić, technical director Marco Neppe, and coach Julian Nagelsmann opted to play without a traditional number nine, relying on tactical adjustments. While Bayern scored 92 goals, they struggled with consistency, leading to dropped points and Nagelsmann's sacking in March. Sadio Mané, brought in from Liverpool, was shifted to the wing, with Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting filling the striker role. The following summer, Bayern signed Harry Kane, resolving their striker concerns. Former Bayern executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called the 2022 decision to play without a number nine a "serious mistake," highlighting Lewandowski's sale and Mané's acquisition as part of this error, which was corrected by Kane's arrival.
Editor-in-chief of www.Fanzium.com for 3 years. Passionate about football since childhood, he oversees the editorial line and the analysis of major European and international football news. His expertise covers club strategy, the transfer market, and the economic issues of modern football.
