Former Liverpool Player Blasted As 'Arrogant Idiot' Over Sadio Mane Comments

Sadio Mane has been defended by an unlikely source, after one Borussia Dortmund chief hit out at 'arrogant idiot' comments made by a former Liverpool player.

Mane left the Premier League giants last week, after six years in which he was part of one of the most formidable forward trios in football, after deciding he was ready for a new challenge.

Jurgen Klopp certainly didn't seem to have an issue with the 30-year-old's departure, giving him an emotional farewell and calling the forward an 'icon' of the club.

However, some people were rather more hurt by the move, with former Liverpool forward Dean Saunders claiming the Senegal forward was 'ruining' the best two years of his career and would 'coast' during his time in Germany.

Defence of his move has come from Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke, who has called the talkSPORT pundit an 'arrogant idiot.'

"There are always some arrogant idiots like this one," the Dortmund chief told Bild.

"As a member of the board of Europe’s club association ECA, I know that German football still has a good reputation. The English didn’t win any of the three European Cup titles in the past season!"

Mane showing off his skills after moving to Bayern. Image: Alamy

When Saunders comments had initially been questioned on air, with presenter Natalie Sawyer pointing out that the former Southampton forward could win silverware with Bayern, the Welshman hit back, criticising the Bundesliga.

"Yeah but he could do that at Liverpool!" Saunders added.

"If he said to you at the end of his career 'have a look at my trophy cabinet', the German league winners' medal with Bayern Munich would be right at the back of the cabinet."

Bayern have won 10 league titles in-a-row, whilst Liverpool have still only managed one in the past 30 years, so perhaps winning the title in Germany would mean less.

However, Julian Nagelsmann's side will be just as ambitious when it comes to winning in Europe, especially after being knocked out by Villarreal last season.

Bayern win their 10th title in-a-row. Image: Alamy

Whilst Klopp has been accused of losing one of his star forwards due to something he said, not that he'll mind with the addition of Darwin Nunez, it might be a whole lot less complicated than that.

According to one report, Mane has more than doubled his wages by swapping Anfield for the Allianz Arena, and being just into his 30s, it was probably the last time he could guarantee such big money.

Topics: Sadio Mane, Liverpool, Premier League, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28