Coach of the Olympique de Marseille reserve, Jean-Pierre Papin, announced in Martigues, has just made his decision.
New twist in the Jean-Pierre Papin case. While he seemed very close to a return to the head of a professional team, notably that of FC Martigues, a new announcement has just changed this scenario.
Papin in Martigues, it will not take place
The Jean-Pierre Papin soap opera ended this Friday evening. While he was expected to succeed Thierry Laurey at the head of FC Martigues, the former 1991 Ballon d'Or finally rejected the offer, according to information revealed by Provence. This surprising outcome comes after several days of discussions between the current bottom of Ligue 2 and the legendary striker, who had not closed the door to a return to a professional team bench.
While the challenge seemed attractive on paper, the situation of a team in great difficulty probably pushed him to think more. The recent humiliation suffered by FC Martigues against Bourgoin-Jallieu in the Coupe de France (4-1) would have played a decisive role in his decision. In addition, leaving Olympique de Marseille, where he supervises the reserve team in National 3, seems premature for the man who remains very involved in the Marseille club's project.
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Jean-Pierre Papin will therefore extend his adventure at the head of the OM reserve team. Currently third in their National 3 group, the young Marseillais are having a solid season under the direction of their coach. As for Martigues, the interim of Ibrahim Rachidi continues, while the club remains in search of a strategist capable of turning around a team in distress.
France
Soccer