According to La Provence, the president of OM, Pablo Longoria, met Jean-Pierre Papin and Ali Zarrak on Friday. The OM reserve coach and the head of the “Pro 2” group are at the heart of an internal conflict. The Olympian boss could make a decision this Monday.
This is something that Pablo Longoria would have done without. For several weeks, Jean-Pierre Papin, coach of the Olympique de Marseille reserve (National 3), and Ali Zarrak, head of the “Pro 2” group which liaises with Roberto De Zerbi's group, have been in conflict. JPP confirmed this on Friday in an interview with La Provence: “I have a problem with a certain person and I don't hide it. I'm a coach and I can't accept that this person chooses my five substitutes. This is unacceptable.” In this same interview, the 1991 Ballon d'Or assured that he gets along “very, very well” with De Zerbi, whose wishes he “applies all the wishes”, particularly in the management of the playing time of certain young people who are developing sometimes with him and sometimes with the first team.
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Papin on the reserve bench this Saturday against Corte
The Italian confirmed his good understanding with the ex-idol of the Vélodrome: “I have good relations with Jean-Pierre. We didn't see each other much, but when we did see each other, it went well I arrived after him and I know how to respect people who have a greater history than mine in this club. I respect people and I have not disrespected Papin, nor the gardener, nor the storekeepers. to no one,” De Zerbi said in the introduction to his weekly press conference.
Eager to find a solution to this conflict, Pablo Longoria would have met the two men reports La Provence. The meeting would have taken place on Friday. The president of OM could make a decision on Monday. In the meantime, the 1991 Ballon d'Or returned to training on Thursday after five days off. He will be on the Marseille bench this Saturday for the National 3 match at Corte (kick-off at 6 p.m.). Jean-Pierre Papin's team is leader of Pool J and still undefeated after six days of the championship, Corte is 14th and last.
