The Bundesliga Connection
The Bundesliga Connection
SL Podcast
The Bundesliga Connection with Kres Harrington, in partnership with DW Berlin, is your opportunity to connect with Germany's top-flight. Join Sloo Phaho and Kres as they keep you up to date on the results, the transfers and the rumours that matter most!
Kane In, Mané Out?
Harry Kane to Bayern Munich is a move that seems to be edging ever closer to being finalised. Bayern are prepared to break their record for transfer fees as they continue to try a full void which has been an issue ever since Robert Lewandowski left the Bavarian giants to join Barcelona in the Spanish league. Sadio Mane has had a horrid time since joining Bayern Munich, and his future has been up in the air for quite some time, but it seems as though a new path is being formed for the 2019 African Player of the Year. On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports Correspondent and German football expert Kres Harrington provides an update on the ongoing transfer involving Harry Kane moving from Tottenham Hotspurs to Bayern Munich. Kres Also speaks about the tabled offer Sadio Mane has received!
Aug 1, 2023
5 min
Mane Deserves Respect!
Sadio Mane has had a horrid time in the German since joining 32-time leave winners Bayern Munich. Mane joined the Bavarian giants in 2022 after spending 6 years with English outfit Liverpool. During his time with Bayern, the Senegalese superstar has been riddled with injuries and bad press. It would appear as though the 2021 African player of the year is getting abuse thrown at him by all ends of the German press, and his exit from Bayern is a case of ‘when.’ On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports correspondent Kres Harrington speaks on the poor treatment Sadio Mane has received since going to Bayern Munich. Kres breaks down Bayern’s offer to Harry Kane which could disrupt the locker room. Some friendly matches are on the Horizon which includes former Bayer Munich manager Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City!
Jul 25, 2023
6 min
Mane Gets The Sack?
Bayern Munich is in the spotlight again this week after Thomas Tuchel opened up about Sadio Mane. The 49-year-old German has told Sadio Mane some heartbreaking news, which, unfortunately, was not unexpected. Sticking with Bayern, the Bavarian Giants are holding firm on signing Harry Kane, with another bid being made to Tottenham. On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports correspondent and German football expert Kres Harrington breaks down the biggest and best transfer happening around the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich are still holding firm on signing Harry Kane and Thomas Tuchel discuss Sadio Mane!
Jul 18, 2023
6 min
Is Pep To Blame For Germany’s Downfall?
Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur’s are battling it out for the signing of English striker Harry Kane. The 30-year is eager to win silverware and his luck with the London-based club has been far from perfect. Although he is a world-class striker, scoring 30 goals this past season, the chances of the 30-year-old winning a trophy with Spurs is slim. Bayern are not showing all their cards being the master negaters the world has come to know them as. Former Bayern Munich and German international Bastian Schweinsteiger, as come out and publicly accused Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola of the German national team’s decline in recent years. On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, Harry Kane to Bayern Munich seems unlikely and Pep Guardiola is taking hits from a former Bayern Munich and German international stalwart.
Jul 11, 2023
5 min
‘Bayern Need To Fill A Void’
Bayern Munich has had a void to fill ever since the departure of Polis striker Robert Lewandowski. The Bundesliga Champions have struggled to get goals from forwards, but they may have a solution. Harry Kane is said to be the number one priority for Bayern, with Kres Harrington saying “He will fill Lewandowski’s shoes.”Sadio Mane has had offers from around the globe, but the 2021 African Player of the Year has finally broken his silence on where his future lies. On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington speaks about the future of both Sadio Mane and Tottenham Hotspurs striker Harry Kane. Kres breaks down the poor performance of the German side at the u21 European Championship.
Jul 4, 2023
5 min
Bayern Are At It Again!
Bayern Munich has once again poached a player from arch-rivals, Borussia Dortmund. Raphael Guerreiro becomes the sixth player in recent years to make the switch between these two clubs, with Bayern still being accused of poaching players. Perhaps the old saying ‘’if you can’t beat them, join them’ rings louder than expected. The 29-year-old joins Bayern after seven seasons at Dortmund, signing a three-year deal. Whilst this is going on, it looks like Lucas Hernandez is on his way out of Munich, after the player agreed on personal terms with Paris Saint-Germaine On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports Correspondent Kres Harrington touches on the racist abuse thrown towards two German u21 players. Kres speaks about the 2023/24 Bundesliga fixture calendar and also about the latest transfers coming out of the Bundesliga.
Jun 27, 2023
6 min
Mane’s Never Say Never Attitude Explained!
Germany, who are hosting the 2024 European Championships have gone winless in 3 games, in what can only be described as a dismal run of form. The 2014 FIFA World Cup Winners are hosting the competition, which may well have been the only way they qualified. Two African superstars are praised for their recent performances; Sadio Mane of Senegal and Victor Oshimhen of Nigerian. Both players managed to get on the score sheet for their respective countries during their recent international fixtures. Sadio Mane’s future seems to be in the air this week after the 2021 African Player of the Year was quoted saying “Never say never.” On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports correspondent and German football expert Kres Harrington speaks about the future of Senegalese superstar Sadio Mane. Kres Also breaks down Germany’s performance after the recent International Friendlies, which has seen the 2014 World Cup Winners go winless in 3 games. Victor Oshimen is praised highly after his recent performance with Nigeria.
Jun 21, 2023
7 min
Are Bayern Ruining The League?
If history is anything to go by, Bayern Munich is without a doubt, the biggest club in Germany. Perhaps this is why they have so much pull when it comes to signing players. We all know that Bayern has the funds, and the demand to essentially, bring on anyone who they please, but many clubs are now getting frustrated with the Bavarian giants, as they have now been accused of ‘poaching’ the hottest talent in the league. For years, Bayern dismantled Borrusia Dortmund's team, by signing players such as Mats Hummels, Robert Lewandowski, and Mario Gotze. They even went as far as signing Serge Gantry from Hoffenheim. But the latest player to join Bayern is one Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig. Laimer becomes the second player to leave ‘Die Roten Bullen,’ after Joshua Kimmich made the move back in 2015. Many are calling this poaching, but the Bayer faithful will tell you that it is good business. Bayern do not like to feel threatened and considering how close Leipzig finished to them in the league table, perhaps this will go down as just good business. Recent reports even suggest that Bayern went after Borrusia Dortmund’s very own Raphael Guerreiro, which if it is true, proves that Bayern will continue to poach as they see fit. In what is perhaps the biggest signing of the transfer window so far, and perhaps the most anticipated; is Jude Bellingham leaving Borrusia Dortmund for Real Madrid. The 19 year has put pen to paper with ‘Los Blancos’ which will see him earn around €10 million per year. Dortmund sold the 2022/23 Bundesliga player of the season for a staggering €103 million, but this could increase to €134 million with the agreed terms for the add-ons. One can argue that these numbers are getting out of control, but unfortunately, it is what it is and this is what the market is demanding. This transfer does prove one thing; Dortmund are experts in nurturing young talent into world-class stars - with the likes of Erling Haaland too.  On the latest episode of the Bundesliga connection, DW Sports correspondent Kres Harrington breaks down the latest transfer news coming out of German. Jude Bellingham makes his move to Real Madrid, Naby Keita returns to the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich is accused of ‘poaching’ the best talent in the Bundesliga!
Jun 13, 2023
7 min
Was This Nkunku’s Last Dance?
RB Leipzig were crowned Champions of the German Cup for the second year consecutive year, thanks to an inspiring performance by Christopher Nkunku. ‘Die Roten Bullen’ overcame Frankfurt by 2 unanswered goals, in yet another dominant performance. Leipzig has shown their talent throughout this season, finishing 3rd in the Bundesliga standings, and questions are being asked if they can challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga Title next season. What seems like an impossible task, has been proven to be achievable, given how Borrusia Dortmund was in the title race until the final match day. The tea, with the 'yellow wall,' dropped the ball when it mattered most, but they proved that Bayern is not ‘untouchable.’ Bayern Munich has had, what some might say, a season to forget. When looking at how Bayern normally performs, a single trophy is almost a failure. Bayern claimed the 2022/23 Bundesliga title on the very last match day of the season, having been in a raucous race with Fierce Rivals, Borrusia Dortmund. Thomas Tuchel and his side were quickly knocked out of all cup competitions but this allowed them to focus on winning the league, which they almost let slip. Tuchel has remained in charge as head coach, but there has been some shuffling up top. The board of directors claimed they had no choice but to fire CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and as it stands, Tuchel will be given some more time to get things right. In terms of shuffling around, some players could be set to leave, with Sadio Mane’ the main player in question On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports correspondent Kres Harrington breaks down RB Leipzig's second consecutive DFB-Pokal (German Cup) viceroy thanks to a heroic performance by Chelsea FC target, Christopher Nkunku. Kres talks about the shuffle within Bayern Munich’s senior management structure, which sees CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic both getting the sack.
Jun 6, 2023
8 min
“The Locker room Is Like A Graveyard”
Bayern Munich are currently finding themselves in an unwavering position which sees them on the brink of losing out to their 11th consecutive Bundesliga title, this time to their fierce rivals, Borrusia Dortmund. Bayern were recently given a hard time by RB Leipzig which resulted in a 3-1 loss. It is no secret that Bayern Munich is struggling, and reports coming out of the capital city suggest that changes, starting from the top, could be the only possible solution would be a complete overhaul, starting from the top. This implies that the porting director, owner, and head coach Thomas Tuchel should be put under a microscope to investigate what the issues are. As it stands, Thomas Tuchel currently had the work of pressure on his shoulders, considering he has played a role in Bayern’s exits from the UEFA Champions League, DFB Pokal (German Cup), and potentially, the Bundesliga itself. Tuchel inherited a troubled locker room, which current Bayern Munich defender Matthijs De Ligt has called ‘a graveyard.’ De Ligt describes the locker room, comparing it to the Titanic hitting the iceberg. This surely shows where the issues are originating from. At the same time, Borussia Dortmund are on the verge of claiming their first title in over a decade and they can do this, by claiming maximum points when they welcome Mainz to Signal Iduna Park on Saturday 27 May. Dortmund has had a phenomenal season, albeit overrun with silly errors and common mistakes. The team from North Rhine-Westphalia will be salivating to grasp the title, but the pressure is mounting as the title is theirs to lose. On the latest episode of the Bundesliga Connection, DW Sports correspondent and German Football expert Kres Harrington breaks down the pot of pressure in which Bayern Munich are finding themselves in. With rumours of players and coaches leaving, Bayern is not looking too good. Borussia Dortmund have a chance to claim Bundesliga glory for the first time in over a decade when they face off against Mainz at Signal Iduna Park.
May 23, 2023
8 min
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