Mamadou Sakho has lived the dream of most international soccer players. The Frenchman has turned out for two of the biggest teams in world football, PSG and Liverpool, winning several domestic trophies for the former, including the Ligue 1 title in the 2012/2013 season.
At 33, Sakho is still playing top-level football in France’s top flight with Montpellier after spending eight years in England, although his future at the club is hanging by a thread. The former Liverpool defender reportedly physically attacked his manager in a heated training group bust-up over a ‘cry baby’ remark.
Mamadou Sakho ‘physically attacked’ Montpellier HC Michel Der Zakarian
Mamadou Sakho may have brought his Montpellier career to an abrupt end as he was reportedly involved in a training ground bust-up with manager Michel Der Zakarian. L’Equipe reported yesterday that Mamadou Sakho grabbed his manager by the collar and knocked him to the ground in front of several other players and staff at the club’s training ground.
Der Zakarian was reported not to have given a foul Sakho felt should have been given, sparking a huge confrontation from the former Liverpool man. The Montpellier manager also reportedly called the Frenchman a ‘cry baby’ for his refusal to let the foul incident go.
Neither parties nor the club are yet to speak further on the issue, but there’s a growing concern that Mamadou Sakho may have played his last game for the Ligue 1 club he joined in 2021. In the summer, Sakho was reportedly told to look for a new club by Der Zakarian as he didn’t seem to fit in with the manager but couldn’t get a move away due to lack of interest.
Sakho joined Montpellier from Crystal Palace in 2021 and has made over 40 appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal from the back.
Montpellier sit 14th in Ligue 1 after winning just one of their last five games. The Ligue’s reputation is also growing after Lens beat Arsenal in their second UCL group stage match.
Why did Mamadou Sakho leave Liverpool?
Mamadou Sakho was a hugely popular figure at Anfield, a club he joined in 2013 from Paris Saint-Germain. He left an impression in training, leading Brendan Rogers to describe him as “a beast in training” shortly after he was signed. However, poor antics and a failed drug test led to his departure from the club in 2017.
Sakho went under UEFA’s radar in April 2016 for a possible anti-doping rule violation. He was suspended for 30 days, and UEFA decided not to extend the ban.
Prior to his departure, Sakho had not played for Liverpool for almost a year. This started when Jurgen Klopp sent him home from the club’s pre-season tour in the United States. This led to his demotion from the senior squad, making reserve football the only competitive football he played that season.
After a dismal campaign last season, Liverpool look back to their best this season, despite the high-profile VAR controversy that led to their loss against Tottenham.
Will Sakho get to play for Montpellier again? Tell us what you think in the comments.
