Daily Schmankerl: Hasan Salihamidzic has no time for his detractors, Hummels announces title chase, Mainz pokes fun at Bayern

Salihamidzic interview (Bild)

After Bayern Munich roared into life under Hansi Flick and crushed the opposition, no one is laughing anymore at sporting director, now executive director of sport, Hasan Salihamidzic. In an interview with Bild, Salihamidzic discussed his erstwhile critics and image.

Asked whether he felt vindicated after his third championship in his three years as sporting director, Salihamidzic said, “I don’t concern myself with what others believe they can judge. I work for Bayern Munich. I have a plan. We have success. We are building something. There’s nothing better.”

Salihamidzic said he never doubted on the Bundesliga championship, even in early November when coach Niko Kovac resigned. “Of course (I believed). I know how much quality our team has. The boys showed a really good mentality and came back. I telephoned with Niko by the way: he was very happy about the championship.”

To those who claim Bayern Munich wins the league only because of weak competition, Salihamidzic insists on the work that the club and players put into their profession:

“It may seem easy from the outside,” Salihamidzic said, “but it is work and sacrifice every day. Trying every day to improve and reach the limits of your capabilities. The boys accomplish great things day by day. That is a strength, and that’s why won the championship.”

Salihamidzic also fielded a question about a mocking song the Bayern players sang on their bus after clinching the league — “Only BVB will be German champion!” Salihamidzic said, “We treat everyone with due respect. The Dortmunders know that, too. Our boys were celebrating; that’s perfectly ok.”

Hummels ready to contend for first place next year (Bild)

Dortmund sealed their vice-championship in second place after Bayern Munich with their 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig. Mats Hummels told Sky after the game that Dortmund will contend for first next season.

He said, “In the first half, we dropped a lot of points. But our Rückrunde was impressive. We lost only three games. Bayern simply played an even better half. They therefore also deservedly are the champions. We want to move up a place next season. That’s what we’ll set out to do. The title must always be the goal.”

“8x champions? Boring!” Mainz celebrates “world-class” Bundesliga survival

It has been one hell of a few weeks for the Carnival club Mainz 05! After beating Dortmund 2-0 midweek, the Nullfünfer demolished relegation-bound Werder Bremen 3-1 away, securing their survival in the Bundesliga for the 11th time. They celebrated with a special T-shirt with a little jab at Bayern:

The shirt read: “8x Meister? Boring! 11x staying in? Mainz world-class.“

Arsenal just might be cursed

You may have seen that Brighton & Hove Albion, who had not won a game in this half of the season, beat Arsenal 2-1 yesterday and that first keeper Bernd Leno was carried off the pitch with a serious knee injury. Gute Besserung, Bernd.