Harry Kane's Bayern future decided with striker 'unhappy' as crisis worsens
“Harry takes care of himself. He doesn't need me. He's not happy with the connection in games. Neither are we.”
In fairness to Harry Kane, there’s not a lot to smile about when it comes to Bayern Munich. Thomas Tuchel was speaking after watching his side suffer back-to-back defeats, first in the Bundesliga and then the Champions League.
The domestic loss to Bayer Leverkusen was a hammer blow to their hopes of a 12th consecutive title, while Lazio’s first-leg win has ramped up the pressure in Europe. And it only got worse over the weekend, with Bayern losing for the third straight match away at Bochum.
When Kane swapped north London for Bavaria, there was an acceptance his infamous trophy drought would quickly be ended. But that is now looking increasingly unlikely, with the situation at the Allianz Arena descending into chaos.
So could the unthinkable happen this summer? Could the ‘unhappy’ Kane cut his losses and leave Germany after just one season? Chelsea have been linked with the England striker, while Manchester United would still jump at the chance to sign him.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
And what about Tottenham? Could Kane and Daniel Levy settle their differences and seal one of football’s great returns? We asked our team of Mirror Sport writers to give their advice to Kane - and what he should do next…
David McDonnell
Harry Kane wanted to join Manchester United last summer, but the figures simply did not stack up for the Red Devils. With constraints imposed by financial fair play regulations, Kane's £100million fee, plus his £400,000-a-week salary, ruled out any chance United had of signing him.
But a year on, with Kane frustrated at Bayern after three successive defeats, despite his goalscoring heroics, United could finally land the England skipper.
Kane has been prolific for Bayern, but he could end the season with no trophies to show for itIf Kane wanted out after just a year in Germany, the figures could now work for United, who have struggled for goals this season and are in the market for a striker, despite Rasmus Hojlund's current scoring spree.
With a wind of change blowing through United and a tangible sense of optimism following the arrival of INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Kane could be a central figure in the club's renaissance and help lead them back to glory.
Of course, Kane may decide to stay at Bayern this summer and continue on his new adventure, even if Thomas Tuchel's side fall short in the Bundesliga – as seems likely – and the Champions League.
But given the bold approaches so far from the new regime at United – poaching Omar Berrada from Manchester City to be their new CEO and raiding Newcastle for sporting director Dan Ashworth – a move for Kane does not seem so fanciful and would further underline their ambition to get back to the very top.
Mike Walters
Yet another season without a trophy at club level? Simple - just go out and win Euro 2024 with England.
It's a sure-fire cure for all known disappointments at Tottenham and Bayern Munich. Swapping the charms of north London for lederhosen and nuclear-strength German nectar was always going to carry an element of risk for Kane.
Bayern only burgled the Bundesliga title on the last day of the season when Dortmund soiled the bed last May. It is no surprise that they are not getting things their own way again this year.
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It wouldn't be a good look for Kane to turn round after one season and say 'Auf Wiedersehen' if they finish empty-handed.
Instead of cutting and running, he would gain far more respect in Deutschland if he led England to Euro 2024 glory and completed a second circuit of the Bundesliga as an ambassador of substance.
And let's be honest, Harry: Would you swap a Bundesliga title or a German Cup winner's medal for that Euros trophy?
Of course you would - it's like choosing between a hamburger or fillet steak for dinner. So do yourself a favour, old chum: Stick, don't twist. The people will think more of you for it.
Neil McLeman
I couldn't help laughing at a social media post last week saying Harry Kane will “move to Celtic at the age of 37 to try and win something and Hibs will win the title”.
For a striker who shows such exquisite timing in the box, it is ironic that he has moved to Bayern Munich in the season their run of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles comes to an end after the 20-time German Cup winners lost to Third Division Saarbrucken in November.
At least Tottenham can’t win anything this season - and there is still the Champions League which Thomas Tuchel now needs to win to keep his job. They should still overturn a one-goal deficit against Lazio and get to the quarter-finals again.
But Kane, who has now moved his family to Bavaria, still has more chance of winning silverware this season or next with the German giants than Chelsea, Tottenham or Manchester United. The England captain, 30, still has time to return to the Premier League before the end of his career but he will not come back before lifting trophies with Bayern Munich.
Ben Husband
Kane’s biggest issue is that the Bayern he joined, isn’t the one of years previous. The England skipper’s arrival was sold as the final piece of the jigsaw, but the truth is that there are gaping holes across the squad.
This isn’t the all-conquering type Bayern sides we have seen in the past, and Tuchel looks like a man desperately in need of a break from football. But the fact remains that his best options in the Premier League remain sides trailing those at the top of the table.
Thomas Tuchel is under intense pressure at Bayern MunichOptimism is high at United after scraping a win over Luton, but are we seriously expecting them to be title contenders next season? I’m certainly not.
If he is to accept defeat and return to England, just go back to Tottenham. Yes, trophies aren’t guaranteed, but it’s surely more appealing than a risky stint at Chelsea or United.
Nathan Ridley
Stay.
This is Bayern Munich we're talking about, not some hipster European club who've offered Kane a quick excursion to prove himself in another league. Despite their dismal form, it could only take Bayern three games to catch up on Bayer Leverkusen, who are considered Germany's cursed club.
With 36 points still up for grabs, does anyone really think Thomas Tuchel's men are out of the title race? You'd be naive to rule them out, regardless of how unfazed Xabi Alonso's team seem ahead of the closing stages of the season.
The same goes for Bayern's Champions League exploits, only needing to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg against a Lazio side who sit eighth in Serie A. While Bayern likely won't win the whole thing and triumph at Wembley once again, it's no reason for Kane to quit.
His family are in the process of settling in Munich and with him looking more injury-free than ever at 30, the England captain has plenty more to offer at the elite level. Kane's style of play even gives him the longevity to thrive back in the Premier League in a few years' time, should he desire.
For now, though, the former Tottenham talisman should enjoy breaking records in Bavaria.
Daniel Orme
Harry Kane has waited 15 years for a senior trophy, what’s one more? The motivation behind his move to habitual winners Bayern Munich was to get his hands on silverware and he WILL do that - just maybe not this season.
Will it be a disappointment for Kane to lose out this season? Definitely. Will he potentially face ridicule should he finish the campaign empty-handed? Possibly.
But that is certainly unfair. It would not be beyond the realms of possibility to see Bayern put together a bonafide challenge for the treble next season, with Kane at the forefront. They simply know how to win, after all. The same cannot be said of Tottenham - or even Manchester United over recent years.
Bayern are as close to a trophy guarantee that he can get, possibly only Real Madrid edging the German giants out - although they seem far more likely to sign Kylian Mbappe from PSG.
So while a move away from the Allianz Arena might be the best short-term decision for him given Bayern's recent troubles, staying in Bavaria still gives the England captain the best chance of finally rounding off his career with glory that he has for so long lusted over.
Jacob Leeks
Harry Kane has to stick it out.
He moved to Bayern Munich because they are one of Europe's most successful teams and the striker needs to trust they will come good. It is unforeseeable that Bayern's downturn extends into next season, with club chiefs sure to make a course correction.
Kane has impressed in his debut year, both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. That bodes well for when Bayern do get their house in order, even if their hopes of winning a trophy this season are fading.
As well as showing faith in the team that shelled out a huge amount of money to buy him last summer, a bigger question should ring loudly in Kane's ears, namely, where else can he be similarly assured of winning a trophy in the coming years.
Realistically the answer is PSG, Manchester City and Real Madrid, none of whom are likely to be in the market for him. That leaves Kane with one option, show some faith to Bayern and trust they will come good.
Kane could end his trophy drought with England this summer (Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)Thomas Wathen
Kane's decision to quit Tottenham and pick Bayern Munich over Premier League clubs such as Man United and Chelsea made it clear that he was looking for the easiest route to a trophy
With 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles in recent years and other major football honours often ending up in the Allianz Arena trophy cabinet, the ex-Tottenham captain would've never expected what this season would have in store
Despite his 25 league goals this season, he is facing another trophyless season and, at 30-years-old, time will start running out for the England captain
A move back to the Premier League would prove that Kane made a mistake joining Bayern and I can't see the Germans losing their only true goalscoring threat so soon
If winning a trophy is his main career goal now, Kane's only option is to stay at Bayern and hope Liverpool steal Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Jurgen Klopp
Scott Trotter
What should Harry Kane do at the end of the season? Whatever he wants so long as it's conducive to England's success at the Euros of course.
The Three Lions record goalscorer has barely spent six months in Munich and still has the opportunity to taste all of the success he dreamt of when making the transfer, albeit it looks more difficult following the last week. However, if he is enjoying his life in Germany there would be little reason to look to manufacture a move even with the absence of a trophy. Come next term, regardless of who is in charge, Bayern will be more likely to earn silverware than most of the candidates for his signature. It would be a surprise if they were not among the Bundesliga favourites once again.
Kane's NFL kicking ambitions may also be best served by residing in Germany as he builds his profile. The nation sees Europe's biggest following of the league.
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