Harry Kane Urged to Focus on Scoring as Bayern Slip

Harry Kane at Bayern Munich: Calls to Stick to His Main Role

Harry Kane at Bayern Munich has come under scrutiny following the club’s recent Bundesliga setbacks, with former head coach Felix Magath emphasizing that Kane should “focus on his strengths” as a striker rather than being drawn into defensive duties. The experienced England forward has responded to Bayern’s surprising dip in form by increasing his defensive workload, but Magath insists Kane’s real value lies in his ability to score goals.

Bayern Munich’s Momentum Wanes After Strong Start

The reigning Bundesliga champions started the season in dominant form, pulling ahead in the title race with a commanding lead. However, Bayern Munich’s perfect run in the 2025-26 campaign ended abruptly after a shock 2-1 loss to Augsburg at the Allianz Arena. Although they quickly bounced back in the Champions League with a win over PSV, their domestic momentum hit another bump when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Hamburg.

Despite these setbacks, Bayern Munich remain six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. Yet, the recent results have brought concerns about complacency and a potential slip in standards, with the chasing pack seeing an opportunity to close the gap.

Harry Kane’s Role at Bayern Munich Under the Microscope

Harry Kane has been relentless in front of goal, netting his 36th goal of the season in his 32nd appearance. His impact in the final third is undeniable, but the striker has shouldered more defensive responsibilities during Bayern’s challenging run. According to Felix Magath, this shift detracts from what makes Kane so effective.

“I would always use players according to their strengths,” Magath told Sport. “Harry Kane can score goals. He’s praised by everyone and everyone cheers that he also runs around at the back. But that’s not his job. If he were to stay up front instead of dropping into midfield or defense, it would be better for the team.”

Magath’s comments come as a timely reminder to both Kane and Bayern Munich to play to their existing strengths, rather than overcomplicating roles within the team.

Complacency and Criticism: The Bayern Conundrum

The winter break appears to have disrupted Bayern Munich’s dominance. Magath highlighted that the team’s previously unwavering control has diminished, and opponents sense an opportunity. “Since the winter break, that dominance has disappeared. You could see that against HSV,” he noted, referencing the draw with Hamburg.

Adding to the scrutiny, Bayern Munich’s players, including Kane, openly criticized match officials after the Hamburg game. Kane called the referee’s performance “not at this level,” while Josip Stanisic was even harsher in his assessment. Magath was quick to condemn such complaints, saying, “This complaining from the players is unnecessary. FC Bayern shouldn’t complain about getting too many boos against them in the Bundesliga. People look for faults everywhere but themselves.”

Harry Kane and Bayern’s Path Forward

Moving forward, the focus for Harry Kane at Bayern Munich must shift back to what has made him one of Europe’s most prolific strikers: scoring goals and leading the line. With key fixtures on the horizon, including a crucial clash against Champions League-chasing Hoffenheim and a DFB-Pokal quarter-final with RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich must rediscover their spark.

Despite the recent hiccups, Magath remains confident that Bayern Munich will ultimately retain their Bundesliga crown, citing the lack of serious pursuit from rivals such as Borussia Dortmund. However, he warns that the team must avoid complacency if they are to see off the title challenge.

Opinion: Kane’s True Value Lies in Attack

In my view, Harry Kane at Bayern Munich should continue to focus on his main strengths—his world-class finishing and attacking intelligence. While contributing defensively is admirable, Bayern’s attacking potency is at its peak when Kane is fully committed to leading the line. For Bayern Munich, the path back to dominance starts by ensuring their best players do what they do best.

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