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2 weeks ago
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Pablo Longoria should make no mistake. On Monday, the president of theOM will take an important decision to try to resolve the Papin affair, indicates Saturday Provence. The Marseille daily specified that the Spanish leader had met on Friday Jean-Pierre Papin, coach of the reserve playing in National 3 (at the head of his group before this weekend), and Ali Zarrak. The latter, responsible for the Pro 2 group, is more than hard to help JPP, according to the words of the 1991 Ballon d’Or.
“ 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 “, confided the 60-year-old coach in an interview given at the end of the week to Provence. The former OM center forward (1986-1992 – 182 goals in 275 matches) criticizes Ali Zarrak, 32, to encroach on its prerogatives.
The untouchable Papin legend?
Close to Mehdi Benatia, Pablo Longoria’s sports advisor, Ali Zarrak notably ensures the link between the professional team coached by Roberto de Zerbi and the reserve group coached by Jean-Pierre Papin. “I can accept a lot of things, and I did, I tried to smooth things over, to find a solution, but nothing has happened since the start of the season. I had discussions with this person, I thought it would get better, but it didn’t. At one point, it clashes », explains JPP.
In Marseille, Jean-Pierre Papin has a special status. It symbolizes the Bernard Tapie years, those of glory and titles. Like Basile Boli, the scorer in the Champions League won by OM in 1993 (1-0) against the great AC Milan who had recruited this season… Jean-Pierre Papin.
If Pablo Longoria chose to dismiss the native of Boulogne-sur-Mer, he could be criticized by a very large number of OM supporters. In other words, a large part of the city. And if he reframed Ali Zarrak, Longoria would perhaps take the risk of offending Mehdi Benatia.
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Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
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