Leroy Sane has played down talks about his bust-up with Pep Guardiola in the months preceding his transfer from Manchester City to Bayern Munich
Sane completed a long-awaited return to his homeland with Bayern Munich earlier this month, signing a five-year contract with the reigning Bundesliga champions.
Despite continuous attempts from the Manchester City chiefs to lure the 24-year-old winger into signing a new deal over the past 12 months, Sane joined the ‘Bavarians’ in a massive £55million deal in early July.
Before leaving the Etihad for good, the former Schalke man had endured an injury-riddled season, making an 11-minute cameo appearance in a 5-0 demolition of Burnley back in June.
But, in some previous seasons, Sane was unhappy with Guardiola’s constant rotations that had often seen the German star struggled for regular first-team action.
Although such circumstances led to speculations about an altercation between the two, Sane has refused to acknowledge those rumors.
Sané: "My relationship with Pep Guardiola is good. There never was a point where we couldn't stand each other anymore. Pep helped me reach a high level. He's so meticulous and wants to develop his players everyday. He's tactically stubborn in a positive way and that helped me" pic.twitter.com/j5tyLI8EKn
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) July 21, 2020
“Our relationship is good,” he said, as relayed by the Mirror. “There was never a point when one was tired of the other, and I am grateful for everything he taught me.
“Pep Guardiola helped me to a very high level. He is very meticulous and wants to advance the players every day.
“He is persistent when it comes to his tactics – but that’s positive, it helped me. We even lived in the same building, so we saw each other often.
“It was not easy for me [to leave]. Pep Guardiola and his fantastic team were the reason why I moved to Manchester.
“But it was in my head that I wanted to do something new.
“FC Bayern’s concept and plans best matched my ideas. That’s why I came to my decision.”