Daily Schmankerl: Sandro Wagner prefers Bayern; Frauen extend Melanie Leupolz; Mats Hummels is hyped; Manchester United sacked Jose Mourinho; and MORE!

Sandro Wagner chooses Bayern over Schalke (SportBild)

Sandro Wagner has spent most of the season on the Bayern Munich bench as Robert Lewandowski has been pretty spectacular. With Schalke experiencing injuries to Mark Uth, Breel Embolo, and Guido Burgstaller, however, Die Königsblauen reportedly sent some feelers to Bayern to see if Wagner would be open to a move.

Wagner appears to want none of it. The striker’s love for Bayern is superseding his desire to play a starting role for another squad. Wagner had this to say about this season and feelings on being in Munich:

Every time I come to Säbener Strasse, I know what I’m doing for it. This is my club, since childhood.

Interestingly, Schalke is not the only club pursuing Wagner as West Ham, Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen are all rumored to be interested in the Bavarian big man.

FC Bayern Frauen extend captain Melanie Leupolz (FCBayern.com)

The FC Bayern Frauen have been on a tremendous run of late as the squad sits just three points behind world power Wolfsburg. Melanie Leupolz, the midfielder and team captain, has been rewarded for her stellar effort with a contract extension through the 2019/2020 season.

Leupolz was excited at the prospect of an extended stay with Bayern.

In Europe, we want to catch up to the absolute top teams to become title contenders in the Champions League. I’m convinced that FC Bayern will make the leap in the near term and I want to be part of this process. We have great potential in the team and a good plan for how we can move forward in the next few years and win titles again.

Karen Danner, the FC Bayern Frauen team manager, is also happy to have the 24-year old Leupolz back in the mix.

Melanie is one of the mainstays of our team. We are very happy that she stays in Munich and wants to join us in shaping the development process of our team. Melanie’s extension is a signal for the future and the title claims of our team. And it is proof of the attractiveness and strength of the German women’s league.

⭐️ Terrific news! ⭐️ Our #FCBFrauen captain and @DFB_Frauen national player Melanie Leupolz has extended her contract #FCBayern! #MiaSanMia To report: http://fcbayern.com/WB4x9

Bayern makes deal with Hanoi FC (AFC)

Vietnam’s Hanoi FC released a statement that it had come to an agreement with Bayern Munich that appears to be for both development and consulting purposes.

The representatives of Bayern Munich met with the officials from T&T Group (owners of the Vietnamese club) on Monday morning. It is indeed a proud moment for our club as Bayern Munich is one of the best football clubs in the world. The agreement will see Bayern Munich share their expertise in development of football facilities and exchange ideas regarding the design, build and management of infrastructure like stadiums and academies.

Bayern will be setting up an academy in Vietnam as well as the club continues to mine the globe for the next generation of stars.

The agreement also enables Hanoi to set up a Bayern Munich Football Academy in Vietnam which will aim at producing a new generation of Vietnam stars. Bayern Munich officials Andreas Kufner, the Head of International Brand Management, and Christoph Haberle, the Brand Activation and Football Schools Manager, met with Hanoi FC chairman Nguyen Quoc Hai and other officials and also visited the Hang Day Stadium where Hanoi play their home matches.

Jose Mourinho was sacked by Manchester United (ManUtd)

Chris Richards reportedly back in Dallas for coaching announcement (@3rdDegreeNet)

FC Dallas promoted Academy Director Luchi Gonzalez to head coach of its first team and apparently Chris Richards was in attendance. It’s too early to speculate how Gonzalez’s promotion may affect Richards’ status with Bayern, but it is worth keeping an eye on as the talented center back’s loan spell is almost complete.

Our sister site, Big D Soccer, covered the announcement.

Bayern defender is excited to play Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool (@matshummels)

Mats Hummels will be happy to see his old coach even if it is in a Champions League tie.