Shane Long Reflects on Sadio Mane's Early Struggles

Sadio Mane's early days at Southampton were marked by struggles, as former teammate Shane Long described him as 'horrendous' upon his arrival in 2014, although he acknowledged that Mane had potential. Initially, Mane faced challenges adapting to the Premier League, but under manager Ronald Koeman, he improved significantly, scoring 25 goals in 75 appearances before moving to Liverpool in 2016 for £34 million. At Liverpool, Mane became a key player, forming a formidable attacking trio with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah and winning numerous titles, including the UEFA Champions League and Premier League. After leaving Liverpool in 2022, Mane had a brief stint with Bayern Munich and now plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he has struggled to find the net in the current season. Long's remarks reflect the common narrative of players needing time to adjust to top-flight football, highlighting Mane's eventual rise to greatness despite an unsteady start.