Daily Schmankerl: Hasan Salihamidzic in England with chief scout, Coman not for sale, United after Sancho and Haaland, and MORE!

Hasan Salihamidzic and chief scout Marco Neppe in England

Bild’s chief Bayern Munich reporter Christian Falk reported that sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and chief scout Marco Neppe were in England on Wednesday. They declined to comment on speculation about a potential deal with Manchester City involving Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman.

Why, though, would Marco Neppe accompany Salihamidzic to England to scout a player the club decided to buy months ago? Neppe wouldn’t come along see Sané do rehab. My gut tells me that they must be up to something else involving someone else...

But Bayern has no intention of letting Coman leave early (Bild)

Like I said yesterday, Coman is under contract until 2023 — and he’s still only 23 years old! This rumor is just wild speculation fueled by more wild speculation about Pep Guardiola.

Tomorrow in @Bild_Sport: how the speculation about Coman and Sané came about: the Frenchman appreciates Guardiola, but his departure is out of the question for Bayern especially in light of his positive development. #FCBayern itself does not want to comment.

Manchester United plotting to blow £200m on Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland (Mirror Online)

Put all of United’s current attackers on notice, I guess. According to the Mirror, United wants MORE! How much more? MUCH more:

Man Utd could be set for a January transfer spending spree with Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland boosting their attacking options

Manchester United have struggled for goals so far this season - but they look set to have no shortage of firepower if they get their way in the transfer window.

The Red Devils are weighing up a stunning £200million swoop of wonderkids Jadon Sancho and Erling-Braut Haaland to bolster Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's options.

The 19-year-old duo are amongst Europe's hottest prospects with the prolific Haaland starring for Red Bull Salzburg and Sancho potentially available after a tough start to the season with Borussia Dortmund.

But how eager to play in the Europa League are Sancho and Haaland?!

Bayern Munich receives prize for social engagement

In his farewell speech, Uli Hoeness emphasized putting people first and contributing to society. The very next day, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was in Castrop-Rauxel near Dortmund to receive a prize for precisely that.

At the jubilee gala of the Solidarfonds-Stiftung NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia Solidarity Fund Foundation), Bayern Munich was distinguished for its commitment to helping the community with support for children and adults through the FC Bayern Hilfe organization. Rummenigge said (FCBayern.com), “For FC Bayern, this award means recognition and encouragement to continue our support and, indeed, extend it. Support for children and adults is more important than any title race.”

Borussia Dortmund president Reinhard Rauball, who is also vice-president of the DFB, presented the award, saying, “The German record champions also show their commitment to the community when playing in the Champions League.”

Aue and Sandhausen laugh over Hoeness’ mention

In his farewell speech, former president Uli Hoeness appealed to Bayern’s members to think about what is “really important.” He used an example from the 2.Bundesliga:

When I sometimes am sitting in the car, and then it comes on that Aue scores a goal in Sandhausen, I think to myself, do I need to know that now?

Obviously, Sandhausen wanted to know! They responded in kind on Twitter:

We must know: our friends Erzgebirge Aus scored even 2 goals against us!

FC Bayern wants to be respectful and not arrogant?!
‘Mia san Uli’ sees that totally differently...
Gut that he has done!

And of course Aue’s chairman Michael Voigt was tickled by the shout-out (Bild):

Uli knows a thing or two, he’s a pro through and through. We made it into his speech as Aue. That’s worth something. And we are in his memory with a goal scored, not with a goal conceded. What an advertisement for us! But in honesty, in this hectic time, it’s good for us to be able to laugh about ourselves sometimes.

Voigt promised to invite Hoeness to Aue’s next home game against Sandhausen in March, “so he doesn’t have to follow our goals only on the radio.”

Corentin Tolisso scores for France, as they top their group

Great day on the pitch for Coco: he started yet again for France (Pavard on the bench, Coman back in Munich), and he opened the scoring with a very picturesque header. It was his first goal for France, who topped Albania 2-0 and their group. Congrats, Tolisso!

The goals in the Frauen’s 3-1 loss to Wolfsburg

Bayern’s Mädels played their hearts out, but Wolfsburg was better. It could have gone the other way, but the there you have it. Sometimes you put everything on the line and lose.

Record attendance in the WSL for Tottenham-Arsenal!

Italian coach fired after his U-18 team routs opponent 27-0 (GianlucaDimarzio.com, ESPN)

Invictasauro, a team from Tuscany, walloped Marina Calcio 27-0 on Saturday. The sporting director of the defeated club, which was dealing with injuries and had to play a field player in goal, subsequently complained of the disrespect Invictasauro had shown his team. Invictasauro responded by firing the coach in question. Their president issued the following statement:

We learned to our amazement and regret the score of the match in which our junior team inflicted 27 goals on Marina. The premises and values that have held true for ages in the world of youth soccer are antithetical to things of this sort. The opponent is always respected, and that did not happen today. As president I sincerely apologize to the club Marina. I would like to communicate that our board has decided unanimously to dismiss Mr. Riccini [the coach]. Our coaches’ job is to train and above all educate the boys. That did not happen today.

The coach, Massimiliano Riccini, responded:

No one at Invictasauro ever thought of deliberately humiliating or making a mockery of the opponent. We played without showing off, without competitive malice, and committing very few fouls. The juniors are big enough to understand the situations. Scoring 27 goals is not lack of respect — that would have been playing keep-away for 80 minutes or helping the opposing team score some goals. The real defeat is to see how much hypocrisy, banality, and pusillanimity emerge without any knowledge of the facts.

Thiago and Rodri back at it