Why Michael Olise got Bundesliga player of the season over Harry Kane

Harry Kane missed out on the Bundesliga player of the season award despite another historic goalscoring campaign.

The Bayern Munich striker won a third successive golden boot after scoring 36 goals in 31 appearances this term.

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Kane capped his stunning season with a hat-trick against Koln in Saturday’s final match.

However, those strikes were not enough for the England captain to be recognised as the league’s best player.

Instead, that honour went to Kane’s Bayern team-mate Michael Olise.

The French winger scored 15 goals and provided 21 assists in 32 Bundesliga outings this season.

Of those assists, 11 were for Kane as the pair fired Bayern to a record-extending 35th league title.

Whilst some may be surprised Olise pipped Kane to the player of the season award, Kevin Hatchard has now explained the reasoning.

The European football journalist reacted to the news on talkSPORT’s Trans Euro Express on Sunday.

Hatchard admitted: “It’ll surprise a few people that Harry Kane didn’t get the Bundesliga player of the season award, Olise got it.

“I’d agree with that because I get it with the numbers and Kane is phenomenal, don’t get me wrong, he’s absolutely phenomenal.

“But I just think if you said to me, ‘who’s the player that Bayern cannot afford to not have in the team in a big game?’ They could just about get by without Kane. I don’t think they can get by without Olise.

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“I think he brings so much to that team with and without the ball. He’s been lights out all season.”

Kane had previously won the player of the season award for the 2024/25 campaign after winning the title with Bayern.

Meanwhile, Olise was honoured with the rookie of the season trophy at the end of the same campaign.

The former Crystal Palace man has now been elevated to the player of the season following a vote.

Votes from fans, clubs and ‘experts’ are used to determine the recipient of the award.

Olise’s performances helped Bayern finish the season 16 points clear at the top of the table.

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The Bundesliga champions wrapped up the title with four matches remaining.

Speaking after picking up the award, Olise told Sport1: “It was a team effort. I wouldn’t be able to win this award without my team.

“I think quite a few players could’ve won it. I’m obviously happy for the award, but more happy for the [Bundesliga] trophy.”

Kane added: “It was a great conclusion to the Bundesliga campaign. Another really good display with a lot of goals.

“Now we just have to enjoy the celebrations because the season is long and tough. Finishing like this is the perfect way to do it of course. A lot of things come together for us, that’s what marks us out as a team.

“We always want to attack, press high up the pitch, win the ball back quickly and score as many goals as possible.

“That’s down to our mentality and the way we train. No matter the opponents or the situation, we always want to play the same way, and we showed that again today.”

Vincent Kompany’s side can still complete a league and cup double as they face Stuttgart in the DFB Pokal final on May 23.