His adventure as coach of the reserve team of Olympique de Marseille is coming to an end this weekend, with the end of his contract. And Jean-Pierre Papin, 1991 gold ball and absolute icon of the Marseille club, chose the columns of Provence This Friday to deliver its moods. While its mission ends, we feel in “JPP” a mixture of feelings, but especially the expression of a certain weariness, a fed up against turbulence and tensions inherent in a club as passionate and exposed as OM. He seems to have things on the heart and did not hesitate to express them, at least in filigree.
“It's weird to leave”: a need for perspective after tensions?
If his words are measured, the impression of a certain mental exhaustion is palpable. Asked about his departure, Papin simply confides: “It's weird to leave. »» A short sentence but which, in the recent Marseille context, could say a lot. Because his season at the head of the reserve would not have been easy. According to the echoes, tensions and differences of view would have appeared with the sports management, in particular Medhi Benatia, concerning the use of young players and the role of gateway to the Pro team. This need for ” to rest “
that it evokes in a word could therefore be the consequence of these friction and a demanding environment.
These disagreements on training policy and the integration of young talents into the professional group are a subject sensitive to OM. The management, embodied by Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia, wishes a clear line and a constant requirement. Papin, with his experience, probably had his own vision. These tensions, even if they did not degenerate into open conflict, were able to use the former scorer and consolidate him in the idea of not continuing the adventure beyond his initial contract.
The unsaid of Jean-Pierre Papin on his departure from OM!
Cap on Arcachon and new projects for Papin
Despite this context and this feeling of “fed up” of Marseille turbulence, Jean-Pierre Papin takes stock of “Rather positive” of its mission. He says he is happy to have been able to transmit his experience and to have contributed to the emergence of young talents. For the immediate future, he evokes a passage by Arcachon to recharge his batteries, before, “Why not, get into a new project”. He also underlined his “Very good report” With Roberto de Zerbi, whose franchise he appreciates.
Ultimately, Jean-Pierre Papin leaves his duties to OM with the feeling of duty accomplished with young people, but also, it seems, with a certain relief to move away from an environment where tensions can be lively. Her “It's weird to leave” Resonates like the admission of a man tired by the eddies, but which remains a legend for supporters. He “let go” with restraint, but the message has passed: OM is a using club, even for its biggest icons.
