According to a report by La Provence, relations between Olympique de Marseille’s management and the head coach of the reserves Jean-Pierre Papin have cooled significantly in recent weeks.
The former player who spent six years at Les Phocéens from 1986 until 1992 (reaching a Champions League final in his final year at the club where Marseille were beaten by Crvena zvezda) could be on the way out after he reportedly refused to accept Roberto De Zerbi’s instructions on playing time and positions of some young players.
Jacques Abardonado took charge of Marseille reserves during a friendly match on Monday
However, Papin is thought to deny this version of events and stresses that he has good relations with the Italian manager and his coaching staff. Papin has been absent from the training ground since Monday (with Jacques Abardonado taking over in the interim including for a friendly against Stade de Reims) but is expected to return to his duties on Thursday.
La Provence writes that discussions between Marseille and Papin over his continued role in charge of the reserves are currently ongoing.
