Only in a parallel universe will new Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane face the sort of Bundesliga wall of antagonism that awaited another England captain, Kevin Keegan, when the latter swapped Liverpool for Hamburg in the summer of1977.
Keegan, then at the peak of his powers, should have been welcomed with open arms by the Hamburg dressing room. Yet instead found himself isolated, treated with scorn and envy by team-mates who, for the bulk of his first season at the Volksparkstadion, only passed to him under duress. Once the bad blood had subsided, Keegan would go on to become a legendary figure in northern Germany, an inspirational talisman as HSV won a pair of German league titles (although by their second crown in 1982 he had departed the club) and reached the1980 European Cup final. Keegan ended up staying for three years, but easily could have walked within those first few months.
Kane, 30, should have no such problems fitting in at Bayern following his €110 million move, a record signing for the Allianz-Arena giants. Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, as much fan as manager, will do everything in his power to make him feel at home. His new team-mates have already taken to the unassuming East Londoner, struck by his work ethic and unselfish style of play. Not a scintilla of resentment has been generated by Kane’s status as the highest earner at the club (with a reported annual salary of £21.5m).
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
