Juba Touabi, Media365, published on Friday November 1, 2024 at 10:45 a.m.
The Olympique de Marseille reserves are going through a tumultuous period marked by tensions between Jean-Pierre Papin, coach of the National 3 team, and Ali Zarrak, manager of the Pro 2 team.
Papin criticizes Zarrak for interference in his tactical choices, particularly in the management of replacements, which he perceives as moral harassment. This situation pushed the former Ballon d'Or to request the opening of an internal investigation to clarify the behavior of the Marseille manager. The climate around Jean-Pierre Papin darkened when he revealed in the columns of La Provence that he had received threats from individuals on motorbikes, urging him to leave Marseille, which led to a strengthening of security in his home. “ This can't go on any longer. I can't live like this all my life “, he said.
“I have no problem with Pablo”
Despite this tense context, Jean-Pierre Papin ensures that he maintains good relations with the management of OM, including President Pablo Longoria, with whom he maintains regular dialogue. “ Sometimes, reading the press, I have the impression that I have problems with everyone. But I have no problem with Pablo (Longoria, editor's note). When I need to see it, I see it “, he indicated. At the heart of these tensions is a fundamental divergence over the training of young talents. Longoria's project, in partnership with Medhi Benatia and coach Roberto De Zerbi, aims for rapid integration of young people into the pro group via the Pro 2 team. Papin, supported by Marco Otero, responsible for training, defends a more progressive approach, believing that a direct move to the first team can compromise the development of young players.
For the moment, Jean-Pierre Papin has not expressed his intention to leave OM, but the conflict which persists with Zarrak could push him to reconsider his position. This crisis highlights the deep disagreements that affect training policy at OM, revealing the challenges of rapid integration in the face of more measured training. The internal divisions and threats against the former French international add a worrying dimension, jeopardizing the stability of a club in the midst of restructuring.
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