Kingsley Coman has finally opened up about his stunning exit from Bayern Munich, revealing that not everyone at the club wanted him to stay — despite manager Vincent Kompany’s admiration for him. The French winger joined Al-Nassr this summer in a €35 million (£30m/$40m) deal that sent shockwaves through Bavaria.
After a decade of glittering success in Germany — nine Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals, and a Champions League crown — Coman’s departure marked the end of an era. But behind the scenes, Bayern were wrestling with financial strain and internal division, forcing the club to make tough calls.
According to reports, sporting director Max Eberl approved Coman’s transfer to ease wage pressure — his €17m (£14m/$19m) salary had become a financial burden. However, the decision reportedly angered sections of the board, who felt Eberl acted too quickly without securing a replacement.
Speaking to L’Équipe, Coman revealed:
“At the very end of the transfer, things got complicated. I wasn’t pressured to leave, but I was told the club was open to a departure due to its financial situation. I had love from the coach, the fans, and some management — but not everyone. Part of the club wanted me gone. That hurt me a lot.”
Now thriving in Saudi Arabia, the 29-year-old has hit the ground running at Al-Nassr, registering three goals and five assists in nine appearances. His blistering pace and link-up with Cristiano Ronaldo have made him a fan favourite, while his professionalism and humility continue to earn praise.
Coman’s form has also earned him a recall to the French national team, with Didier Deschamps naming him as Ousmane Dembélé’s replacement for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Yet, the winger remains humble about his international ambitions.
“If I can’t truly contribute, I’d prefer to give a young player the chance,” he said.
Bayern later filled the void left by Coman by signing Luis Díaz from Liverpool — a move symbolising their attempt to move forward amid financial tightening. But for Coman, the decision to join Al-Nassr was about peace of mind, not money.
As he embraces a new challenge in the Saudi Pro League, Coman insists his focus is on “guiding the next generation” and enjoying football on his own terms.
