Raphaël Varane, Blaise Matuidi, Adil Rami… and now Steve Mandanda. Seven years after the world coronation of the Blues in Russia, a fourth world champion has decided to hang up the crampons. And gloves in this case. From the top of his 35 tricolor selections but also and above all his 797 club matches on the whole of his career – including 613 under the colors of OM – Steve Mandanda has chosen to bow out. At 40.
“” I needed to take my time to accept it already, because it's not simple, but yes I stophe breathes this Wednesday in an interview with the team. I had a great period of reflection because I had a lot of calls, but I said no every time. The aforementioned sports daily specifying that Le Havre – its training club – Lorient, Guingamp, Brest or Montpellier have tried to attract it this summer.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, other horizons opened up to him but the interested party felt that his time had arrived. After last three seasons spent in Rennes, including an ultimate act in the skin of a lining. With a grandiose final at the Vélodrome, its garden. Launched in the last moments of the game by coach Rennais Habib Beye, Steve Mandanda admits having lived there ” One of the most beautiful emotions of all (s) has a career. The moment touched me even more at the end with my son (Sacha) who came to the field. I am facing the southern turn, leo (BALERDI)
gives me his armband (OM): “You are the captain, you are at home here! Frankly, I couldn't have a better end. »»
“It's not simple,” admits the neo-retired
Through his career, three coaches in particular marked it: Eric Gerets, Marcelo Bielsa and of course Didier Deschamps, with whom he was champion of France in 2010 with Marseille. Its great regrets: the final of the Europa League 2018, lost by OM in Lyon in front of Atlético de Madrid (3-0). And his failed appointment with the status of number one at the Blues. “” Even if I lived badly to lose this number one place, I really wanted it to myself. Easy, it would have been to accuse the media, the coach. No, no, the coach (Raymond) Domenech put me number one. I did not have my shoulders at that time to assume this status He admits.
And now ? “” For the moment, it's not easyconfesses Steve Mandanda. The holidays were very complicated from mid-July when everyone resumed. It's a more lonely life: I get up, I play sports, I will play Padel but time does not pass quickly. And weekends are hard because I was still used to being gone so I watch a lot of matches. For once, I can't wait for my training to start at CDES in Limoges. I want to learn management and better understand what is going on behind the field.
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