Coach of the Olympique de Marseille reserve team, Jean-Pierre Papin delivered his version of the facts on Thursday on the internal tensions within the Marseille club. The former striker admitted to having felt a certain frustration during the 2023-2024 season when his management chose Jean-Louis Gasset as interim rather than him.
Leader of its National 3 group, the OM reserve team is off to a good start to the season under the direction of Jean-Pierre Papin. But the technician is currently going through a complicated period within the Marseille club due to a latent conflict with Ali Zarrak, head of the Pro 2 group and close to Medhi Benatia.
Questioned Thursday by the newspaper La Provence, the winner of the 1991 Ballon d'or spoke about these tensions and revealed another reason for current frustration: the interim of Jean-Louis Gasset. After the departure of Gennaro Gattuso, Marseille management opted for the former Ivory Coast coach rather than an internal solution.
“I may have been touched,” admitted the former striker who played for OM, Bordeaux, AC Milan and Bayern. “Yes, but that’s ambition.”
“Great moments with Jean-Louis”
Author of good performances at the head of the Marseille reserve, which he has completely turned around since his appointment in November 2023, Jean-Pierre Papin felt frustration after the arrival of Jean-Louis Gasset.
But the 60-year-old technician finally praised the merits of the one who has just bounced back in Montpellier.
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“Afterwards, I had a great time with Jean-Louis, he always came to see us in training and chat with us,” continued Jean-Pierre Papin. “It was the first time I saw a coach from the pro team who came to see the kids. And when he needed them, he took them.”
And 'JPP' salutes Roberto De Zerbi's desire to take an interest in OM's talent pool: “This season, De Zerbi is the same. But without a European Cup with one match per week, he has less need young people. I understand it very well.”
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