Javier Ribalta responsible for the departure of Jorge Sampaoli?
Pablo Longoria confides his pleasure of finding Jorge Sampaoli tonight against Rennes: “It will be a moving moment for me, like last March when I met Dani Parejo during Villarreal’s reception at the Vélodrome, Dani who was my captain when I worked at Valencia (2018-2019). I won’t see Jorge before kick-off, because we have to respect the match, but afterwards, when the tension has subsided, I’ll give him a big hug and we’ll talk.“According to The TeamSampaoli’s departure in the summer of 2022 is due to disagreements over the transfer window with the then director of football, Javier Ribalta. The Argentinian has maintained friendly relations with certain players, such as Dimitri Payet. He admires the performances of William Saliba, Boubacar Camera, Mattéo Guendouzi or Valentin Rongierwhom he would like to bring to Rennes. Every two or three months, he heard from Pablo Longoria and the discussions quickly turned to football.
“Sampaoli totally fit the Marseille landscape”
Jorge Sampaoli marked his time at OM by leaving a unique mark, both on a sporting and human level. The first coach appointed by Pablo Longoria, he was described as “the starter of the Longoria era, his first very good choice”, according to a former employee, and as a “bankable” technician who was immediately unanimous.
His atypical personality also left an impression on his colleagues. “He was a kind, friendly and warm man from the start,” we remember at La Commanderie. Despite his difficulties with the French language, he was “always trying to slip in a nice word in French”, even using a language app with the sound turned up loud in his office. Another member of his staff highlights his modern side: “Despite his age, he was interested in the latest trends and technologies related to football, with one goal: to improve.”
Obsessive and perfectionist, Sampaoli instilled an unprecedented rigor: “With him, you have no right to make mistakes.” He also created a union and a positive dynamic, reaching its peak with a 2nd place in Ligue 1 in 2022. “He totally fit the Marseille landscape, in the passion, the emotion,” summarizes another witness.
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