Mirallas Happy at Olympiakos

Former Lille & St Etienne forward Kévin Mirallas, now at Olympiakos, has revealed that he would like to stay in Greece for the foreseeable future.  There has been heightened interest in the striker following a haul of 18 goals in 21 league matches for the Greek Super League Champions but Mirallas has shrugged off any interest.

“There are a few clubs interested but I feel good here.  The club gave me confidence when I needed it and, in addition, I have a good salary.

“I don’t want to leave an environment which my family likes.  I’d like to stay for another season.”

The Belgian international has drawn interest from the Premier League as well as Russian giants CSKA Moscow.  Looks like a return to Ligue 1 is not on the cards.

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French Football Weekly hall-of-famer Bixente Lizarazu has hinted that he would prefer a change of manager at Marseille at the end of the season.

“This is Deschamps’ toughest year as manager of Marseille.  He is still the person who brought the league title to the club and the cups. …there may be a change of cycle at OM at the end of the season, regarding either the manager or the players.”

Things have not been looking good lately for Marseille with the club in 9th position in the Ligue 1 table and 20 points adrift of the league leaders.  The club were also defeated 2-0 at home against Bayern Munich in the quarter finals of the Champions League this week.

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Keeping with Marseille, according to La Provence, the club will have a problem paying their players for the month of May.  Things have not looked good recently for the former champions and things could get worse still.

The newspaper has stated that the club may ask their players to wait until the television rights are paid to the club on June 3rd or to ask the LFP to bring forward the payment date.  Tough times at OM!

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It seems there is a small war-of-words brewing between legendary French goalkeepers Fabien Barthez and Grégory Coupet over the current crop of French goalkeepers.

Fabien Barthez stated that Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda and Cédric Carrasso are not at international level for France just yet, an opinion which has been shot down by Coupet.  Coupet told l’Equipe:

“If there is an area of strength for France, it’s the goalkeepers.  Lloris has already proved that he is one of the best.”

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Olympique Lyonnais have announced that two of their young players have signed new contracts at the club.  Samuel Umtiti signs his first professional contract with the club, a contract which will last until 2015.  Impressive forward Alexandre Lacazette has also signed a contract extension with the club until 2016.

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