Source: REUTERS/Manon Cruz
[Saba Sports News] Recently, rumors surfaced that there was a conflict between Marseille first-team coach Roberto De Zerbi and youth team coach Jean-Pierre Papin. Both parties have since addressed the matter. Papin first pointed out that it was not De Zerbi with whom he had a conflict, but rather Ali Zalak, the head of Marseille’s youth training. De Zerbi was also asked about this issue at a press conference, where he clarified: “I have no problems at Marseille, neither with Papin nor with anyone else. If there were issues, I would be the first to tell you; I only expect respect and fairness. I want to clarify an important fact: I have always been at the center of controversy with Papin, but what the media reports is all false and fabricated.” De Zerbi emphasized: “My relationship with Papin is good; I came to Marseille after him, and I respect him because of his great legacy at the club and because he is older than me. In the club, I always greet everyone, from the kit manager to the gardener; I have no issues with anyone, but rumors of a dispute with Papin have affected me. Sometimes I chat with Papin; we don’t see each other often, but everything is fine between us.”