In the columns of ProvenceJean-Pierre Papin explained his situation as coach of the Marseille reserve. The former striker first assured that he had no problem with Roberto De Zerbi: “When I saw the coach, we kissed each other, it was super respectful, we discussed football and other subjects, our careers. And when he had something to tell me about a player, he would tell me. There was never the slightest misstep, the slightest hitch. Never. » JPP nevertheless has a problem, which he summarizes as “a story of men”, “it doesn’t go any further”.
Without quoting him, Papin confirmed having a problem with Ali Zarrak, head of the Pro 2 group (the reserve) and announced close to Medhi Benatia: “I am a coach and I cannot accept that this person chooses my five substitutes. This is unacceptable. (…) I had discussions with this person, I thought it would get better, but that’s not the case. At one point, things clash. »
“Training players and finishing first are not incompatible”
Zarrak would give instructions that are not his responsibility: “We have a group of 22 players, 16 possible in N3 + 6 potential who are in the Pro 1 group and who can go down with us. Each time they did it, when I was asked for a specific playing time, I followed the instructions. Always. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. The problem is that everything is compartmentalized. Pro 1 cannot come to Pro 2 without going through this person, and I cannot go see Pro 1 without going through him. Excuse me, but I don't need anyone to go see a trainer. »
JPP assured that he had no “no problem with OM management”. His problem is that “everyone says the problem will be managed”but that “nothing is happening”. Papin therefore asks for solutions. He gets annoyed when we tell him he's not there to “finish first with the reserve”but rather for “train players” : “I'm a competitor and I think you can do both, develop players and finish first. It is not incompatible. Especially since we can still go up one floor, to National 2. (…) It’s also important for me. I am dedicated to my task of training players, and I am happy to see the progress of the young people, but we are first and there is a shot to play. Afterwards, a coach cannot accept everything, especially when it comes from a person who has very little experience in that area. »
“A motorbike with two guys on it stopped and they asked me to get out of here”
Papin finally confirms that he was touched by the fact that OM called on Jean-Louis Gasset rather than him: “I may have been touched, yes, but that’s ambition. » He recalls that he witnessed the altercation between Ali Zarrak and Chancel Mbemba: “Yes, I was there. But above all, what you need to know is that for three weeks, I have been living with three security cars in front of my house and it is unbearable to live with. (…) One day, a motorbike with two guys on it stopped and they asked me to get out of here. » JPP cannot confirm that this is related: “I don’t know, I wouldn’t allow myself to say it or think it. I don't know anything about it. Put yourself in my place, when I read that I don't respect the club's requests and I'm experiencing what I'm going through, it's complicated… (…) The management is aware of everything, they tell me 'helped, made the security service available to me, there was no problem. But it can't last any longer. I can't live like this all my life. »
Papin has the impression that what he has built is being sabotaged: “If it's either Zarrak leaves or me?” It is in this spirit that we must see things. I would like to finish my season, we have built something magnificent with the kids, we like playing together, getting together, traveling. And that's priceless. I feel like we're trying to screw this up, and it's very difficult to deal with. I wanted to clarify this because I feel like it's almost becoming my fault. »
Ali Zarrak, for his part, did not wish to respond to JPP. The testimony of Jean-Pierre Papin, legend of the club, is touching. However, it gives the impression that the former Ballon d'Or has difficulty confining himself to his role as trainer. It is difficult to understand why a case like this, which also concerns the reserve team, makes the headlines.
