'I know what he wants to see' - Leroy Sane aiming to get back into Julian Nagelsmann's good books after Germany coach's 'worse league' dig over Galatasaray transfer

German international Sane’s omission from Nagelsmann’s Germany squad came as the big surprise ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland. The 29-year-old winger, who left Bayern this summer to join Galatasaray on a free transfer, was left out of the squad as Nagelsmann questioned the competitiveness of the Turkish Super Lig compared to the Bundesliga.

Sane had been hoping to cement his place in the national team setup but now faces the challenge of proving himself from afar. Despite starting all of Gala’s league matches so far, contributing one goal and one assist, the national coach made it clear that the winger must “stand out more” if he is to return to the DFB setup.

Sane’s exclusion underlines the fine balance for German internationals playing outside Europe’s top leagues. While his move to Gala brought Champions League football, with tough group stage fixtures against Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt, Nagelsmann’s comments about the “worse league” highlight how national team coaches weigh domestic competition when making selections.

For Sane, who has 70 caps since debuting in 2015, the setback puts added pressure on him to deliver standout performances in Turkey and especially on the European stage. 

Sane spoke in detail about his omission from Germany’s squad during an interview with Bild, saying: “The exchange with Julian Nagelsmann has always been good and, above all, very open and honest, that's what I value most about him. I know exactly what he wants to see from me, of course, it's primarily up to me.”

Despite the disappointment, he remains determined to fight his way back while at Galatasaray, adding:: “After the international break, things are really getting started now. I like the two games a week the most, too, to really gain momentum and get into a good rhythm. Only then will the season really start. Four games and four wins were already an extremely important step for us, even if, of course, not everything was 100 percent perfect.”

For Sane, the path back into the Germany squad is clear but demanding and he must dominate in Turkey’s top flight and shine in Europe. His ability to link up with Ilkay Gundogan at Gala could prove decisive, offering a platform to show Nagelsmann that he can still perform at the highest level.