Mercato | Mercato Mercato – OM: Mandanda close to making a shattering decision for his future?
Football – Mercato – OM
Aged 36, Steve Mandanda is wondering about his future because of his low playing time at OM. Relegated to a role of lining, the doorman remains attached to Marseille, but could decide to relaunch in a new team.
» If a guard were to arrive, there is no problem. We talk about it very freely and very calmly with Pablo Longoria (the president). We need to sign a goalie. But again, I will be there. So he will have to play and be good “said a conquering Steve Mandanda in May 2021, ready to face adversity. The 36-year-old doorman was therefore not surprised when his club formalized the arrival of Paul Lopez, coming fromAS Roma. The 36-year-old French international wanted to fight for his place, but Jorge Sampaoli didn’t give him that chance. The Spanish goalkeeper quickly established himself as the number one goalkeeper, relegating to the substitutes’ bench, Steve Mandanda, helpless. « Steve is an amazing person. Whether it is personality, his will or his availability. He is an example for everyone, in training too. He is always available. We always expect the best from Steve Mandanda because he deserves to be thought of. confided Jorge Desio, deputy of Jorge Sampaoli. But behind the scenes, the relationship between the tricolor doorman and the Marseille staff would not be ideal.
No departure this winter for Mandanda
As announced by The Team this Saturday, Steve Mandanda feels cheated. True emblem of the Marseille club, the veteran would not have obtained an explanation from his coach about his playing time and his situation. Since then, the relationship between the two men would be fresh. The goalkeeper would also resent the goalkeeping coach, Jon Pascuabut not with Paul Lopez, with whom relations would be cordial. Whereas Mandanda would not hide his sadness internally, some clubs wanted to take advantage of the situation to try to snatch him from theOm. This Friday, the daily announced that Lorient approached the guard. Earlier in January, interest from LOSC and of theASSE had been mentioned, but in reality, the only concrete approach came from Galatasaray, through an intermediary. The answer of Mandanda was clear: no departure this winter, despite his low playing time in Marseille.
Mandanda will have to make a choice
Steve Mandanda continues to keep hope, even if he is aware that it will be difficult to change the hierarchy. The doorman would take matches one after the other “, while waiting for better days. But if the situation persists, the veteran will have to decide. As he approaches the end of his career, the goalkeeper has the choice between hanging up his crampons in Marseille, certainly in a role of understudy, or finishing as number one goalkeeper in another Ligue 1 team. cornelian for Mandanda, who would still hesitate. Within the Marseille city, the 2018 world champion is happy, but would not rule out the possibility of a departure during the next summer transfer window, three before the end of his contract. In the meantime, he will find, for one evening, his starting place against Montpellier this Saturday in the Coupe de France.
