After nearly a decade dazzling Bundesliga crowds in red, Kingsley Coman’s departure from Bayern Munich has left fans both stunned and searching for answers. The French winger, now starring for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has finally shed light on the complicated circumstances that led to his exit—an exit that, while not forced, was certainly nudged by winds swirling behind closed doors at the German champions.
Coman’s transfer, finalized just under a month before he would have reached 100 league appearances for Bayern, marks the end of an era defined by silverware and spectacular wing play. Over his tenure, Coman racked up 339 appearances, netting 72 goals and dishing out 71 assists—a haul that included a stack of league titles, domestic cups, and the crowning glory: a Champions League triumph. But as he revealed in a candid interview with L’Équipe, the final chapter in Munich was anything but straightforward.
“Just before the transfer went through, there were some things – which I won’t mention – that complicated the situation. I wasn’t pushed out, but I was told the club was open to a departure because of its financial situation,” Coman told L’Équipe. “I had the love of the coach, the fans, and some people in management… but not everyone. There was a part of the club that wanted me to leave. And that part weighed heavily on my mind.”
Those words echo across the Bayern fanbase, which had grown accustomed to seeing Coman’s explosive pace and technical flair light up the Allianz Arena. But as Coman himself admitted, the affection wasn’t universal. Reports from multiple outlets confirm that while manager Vincent Kompany was firmly in his corner, a fractured Bayern board and mounting financial pressures created a climate where his exit became not only possible, but perhaps inevitable.
“At the very end of the transfer, there were things — which I won’t mention — that complicated the situation. I wasn’t pushed out, but I was told that the club was open to a departure due to its financial situation,” Coman reiterated, as captured by @iMiaSanMia. “I had the love of the coach, the fans, some people on the board... but not everyone. There was a part of the club that wanted me to leave. And that part took up a lot of space in my mind.”
The sense of division within Bayern’s hierarchy was palpable, and Coman’s words only underscore the behind-the-scenes turbulence. Despite his loyalty—nearly ten years in Munich, a period that saw him become a beloved figure in the dressing room and among supporters—Coman ultimately found himself on the outside looking in. The decision to let him go for a relatively modest fee, especially considering his pedigree and recent performances, only fueled speculation about the true extent of Bayern’s financial woes and internal disagreements.
Yet, for all the mixed emotions, Coman’s affection for the club remains undimmed. “But I’ll go back to say goodbye, because I spent almost ten years there, and it’s still the club that means the most to me,” he shared. The promise of a proper farewell hints at a deep connection not easily severed, regardless of boardroom politics or balance sheets.
So, what about life after Bayern? Coman’s move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia raised eyebrows in some quarters, with critics suggesting that the switch to the Saudi Pro League signaled a step down from elite European football. But if anyone thought the Frenchman was winding down, his early performances have emphatically proved otherwise. In just four league matches, Coman has scored 2 goals and provided 4 assists, immediately establishing himself as a key figure at his new club.
His form hasn’t gone unnoticed by France’s national team selectors either. Despite the change in scenery, Coman was called up for Les Bleus’ latest squad—a decision that some found surprising, but not the man himself. “Not really. I played in Europe for ten years and I’ve only been here for a month. You don’t lose your skill in that time. I’m the same player I was at Bayern. I won’t lose my level in a year (laughs). I’m always ready to help the national team, and I’m confident I can maintain my standards,” Coman stated.
He was quick to dismiss the notion that a move to Saudi Arabia equates to a drop in quality or ambition. “That’s not the opinion of the coach or anyone who actually understands football. I’ve learned to ignore what people say. I’m playing much more here than I did last season at Bayern. What’s better — coming on for 20 minutes at Bayern or playing every match? Here, I’m a key player. I was an important figure in Bayern’s dressing room too, but when you only play every other game, your influence naturally decreases,” Coman explained, highlighting the benefits of regular football at Al-Nassr.
For the player, the move represents both a new challenge and a fresh start—a chance to recapture the rhythm and consistency that made him one of Europe’s most feared wingers. For Al-Nassr, it’s a coup: a Champions League winner and proven international talent arriving in his prime, hungry to prove that his best days are far from behind him.
Back in Munich, the questions linger. Did Bayern make the right call letting Coman leave? Was the decision driven more by necessity than strategy? And how will the club fill the void left by a player who, for all the complications, gave nearly a decade of his career to their cause?
As for Coman, the future looks bright. With a strong start in Saudi Arabia and continued recognition from the French national team, he’s showing that change, though difficult, can spark new heights. The winger’s journey from Paris to Turin, Munich, and now Riyadh has always been marked by resilience and reinvention. And while the Allianz Arena chapter has closed, the story of Kingsley Coman is still being written—one dazzling run at a time.
For Bayern fans, there’s the promise of a final goodbye. For Coman, there’s the satisfaction of leaving on his own terms, even if the road out was more complicated than anyone imagined. The echoes of his departure will linger in Munich, but his legacy—trophies, memories, and that unforgettable Champions League winner—remains firmly intact.
