Jean-Pierre Papin could take a new turn in his career by becoming the coach of FC-Martigues. Discussions are underway behind the scenes, while this Saturday, December 21, the Martégal club faces Bourgoin-Jallieu in the French Cup.
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Jean-Pierre Papin, legendary OM player, could become the next coach of FC-Martigues, confirms a source close to the former Ballon d'Or at France 3 Provence-Alpes.
Currently coach of the OM reserve team in National 3, Jean-Pierre Papin could thus bounce back in a professional club playing in Ligue 2. FC-Martigues, current bottom of the ranking, separated in mid-December of his coach, Thierry Laurey, and is looking for a successor.
The 1991 Ballon d'or is in discussions with the Martigues club, and plans to release himself from his contract with OM, while this Saturday Martigues meets Bourgoin-Jailleu in the Coupe de France.
Legend of OM of the 20th century, 4 times French champion, and Golden Ball in 1991, returned to the position of sports advisor to the president of the Olympian club, Pablo Longaria, in 2022. He was entrusted, a year later, with the mission of saving the reserve team, playing in national 3, from relegation.successful and unanimously praised mission, but since the arrival of coach Roberto De Zerbi in July 2024, and especially his numerous staff, the influence of “JPP” had faded.
OM coach Roberto De Zerbi denied at a press conference on November 1, any relational problem with Jean-Pierre Papin, while the former Olympian striker had mentioned difficulties with a member of management.
“I have a good relationship with Jean-Pierre.”had stated Roberto De Zerbi, “I arrived after him and I know how to respect people who have a greater history than mine in this club (…) I did not disrespect Papin, nor the gardener, nor the storekeepers, nor anyone “.
In an interview with La Provence, the legendary OM player nevertheless admitted to having a problem with “a certain person“, which he considered to be interference”unacceptable“, ” I am a coach and I cannot accept that this person chooses my five substitutes.”
This new coaching position at FC-Martigues would therefore be a way out for the ex-Ballon d'Or, whose challenge would be significant, given the delicate situation in which the club finds itself at mid-season. martega.
