Jean-Pierre Papin empties his bag

The story gained momentum in Marseille. In recent days, Jean-Pierre Papin, coach of the Marseille reserve (National 3), has been singled out. The reason? The 1991 Ballon d'Or would have disagreements with the Olympian sports management concerning the playing time and positions of certain young talents at the club. But especially with the famous Ali Zarrak, who forms the link between the reserve and Roberto De Zerbi's group. The tension is so high between the two men that Papin reported Zarrak's behavior to OM and an internal investigation was opened.

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Faced with the controversy, while OM's N3 is first in its group, JPP decided to speak in the columns of Provence. « The story is taking on proportions that I cannot accept. I have to give my version. The first thing is that I get along very, very well with Roberto De Zerbi “, he blurted out first, before adding: “ I would like to point out that I have no problem with the management of OM. Sometimes, reading the press, I have the impression that I have problems with everyone. But I have no problem with Pablo (Longoria). »

« One day a motorcycle with two guys on it stopped and they asked me to get out of here »

In his defense, Papin swears that he has always respected to the letter the instructions (playing time) that he receives each time a player from the pro group comes down to the reserve to play. But his problem is Ali Zarrak, a man he judges guilty of interfering in his work and compartmentalizing the pro group. “ I have a problem with a certain person and I don't hide it. I am a coach and I cannot accept that this person chooses my five substitutes. This is unacceptable. » Faced with this situation, will OM be forced to choose between a coach with excellent results with the reserve and someone close to Medhi Benatia?

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« It is in this spirit that we must see things “, says Papin, who indicates that he has the impression that they want to waste all their work with the N3. And unfortunately for him, he seems to be in the best position to pack his bags. Because his life in Marseille has become very complicated. “ 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. (…) The management is aware of everything, they helped me, made the security service available to me, there is no problem. But it can't last any longer. I can't live like this all my life. » Ambiance…