Despite an obvious downgrade in the Olympique de Marseille squad this season, attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet is still smiling. And the Reunionnais assures him: he has a very cordial relationship with his trainer Igor Tudor. So much so that the number 10 Olympian is still projecting with the Phocens.
Payet passed the bar of 100 goals and 100 offerings in Ligue 1.
Ten appearances in all competitions, including only 5 as a starter, a small goal scored from the penalty spot against Ajaccio (1-2) last Saturday in Ligue 1… Dimitri Payet’s record at the start of the season with Olympique de Marseille seems rather unusual and disappointing.
While he saw himself until then considered OM’s number one asset in attack, the native of Saint-Pierre inevitably loses influence and, by extension, in playing time. Marseille coach Igor Tudor, who notably downgraded his number 10 in the Champions League by leaving him on the bench twice in four games.
Its downgrading, Payet understands Tudor
What create a conflictual situation between the two men? No way. During an interview with Prime Video journalist Smal Bouabdellah, the 35-year-old attacking midfielder denied certain false revelations about his relationship with his coach. It’s new for me. Yes, aat hard at first. But not hard as everyone says: “Payet-Tudor, it does not pass”. Hard on me, clarified the number 10 Olympian. You can say whatever you want. He (the coach) has harsh methods, he is raw, he gets into us. But he’s a trainer and a trainer, it’s far from crazy. If you win him games, he will play you. The trainer is not crazy. It’s more to myself. I need to do morerecognized the man with 100 goals and 127 assists in Ligue 1.
Payet then compared Tudor to former OM coaches. I’m not saying that I don’t get along with the new coach. But it’s another way of operating and working. Bielsa had a very distant relationship with the players. However, I loved him because he made us play incredible football. Sampaoli was closer to us. The Tudor style is a little more Italian style, he was Juve, he’s Croatian, he’s a little tougher. These are other methods, but they work. (…) You can impose your ideas, but it’s better if you win, the group validates if you winhe added.
A retirement in 2024?
Proof of his sincerity and his good state of mind, the Marseille lifewho intends to hang up his cleats on the Canebire and has a contract until June 2024 with OM – a club for which he is already making a 9th season – is planning and he intends to postpone the age of retirement.
I don’t see myself stopping in two years. I’m not ready yet. I love a too much. In the morning I get up, I tell myself that I’m going to training. I never go there dragging my feet. L, it’s difficult, I take the good side, I tell myself that I don’t have much time left and that I have to take advantage of the playing time that I am given, underlined the Runionnais, always very motivated. Will he tip the scales in the coming months by recovering a starting spot? The Marseille staff probably only hopes for that while Amine Harit is slowly but surely taking the keys to the game!
What do Payet’s words about Igor Tudor mean to you? Do you think the attacking midfielder can shake up the hierarchy and regain his place in OM’s eleven? Don’t hesitate to react and debate in the area add a comment …
