Renato Sanches: “I’m not happy here” at Bayern Munich

Only the openness with which he spoke to kicker is really surprising: in the magazine’s Thursday edition, Renato Sanches says, “I’m not happy here” at Bayern Munich.

Sanches survived a dismal loan spell in Swansea last season only to find himself warming the bench at Bayern. His unexpected and wildly successful homecoming to SL Benfica in the Champions League has not translated into a regular role in the starting lineup, although head coach Niko Kovac let it be known that he was personally eager to revive Sanches’ fortunes.

Just last month, Kovac was spotted speaking with the young star and explained to the media afterward,

Renato is not the happiest at the moment because he’s not playing much. But I told him that he should keep on going. He’s training well, is diligent and friendly.

But nothing has really changed. As if echoing Kovac’s statement, Sanches told kicker, “I’m working a lot, but I’m not allowed to play.” Sanches has played a total of 717 minutes in 21 matches across competitions, but he has seen the pitch just five times in 2019 as a late substitute. The longest he has played this year was sixteen minutes in Bayern’s 6:0 walloping of Mönchengladbach.

Now Sanches is reportedly thinking about “what’s best for me.” He says, “I’d like to play more, perhaps at another club. I have to give it some thought.” As Bayern steams ahead with its plans to revamp the roster, that prospect may become a reality this summer.