Mamadou Sakho Leaves Montpellier After Physical Altercation With Manager
Former Liverpool and Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho has left Montpellier after a physical altercation with manager Michel Der Zakarian at the training ground. The France international was suspended from the club after the incident on 24 October, which saw Sakho grab his 60-year-old manager by the collar and knock him to the ground, according to L’Equipe.
The Ligue 1 side have now confirmed that after ’10 days of reflection, the parties have, in good faith, agreed to put an end to the contractual relationship which bound them.’
The 33-year-old has now left the club, posting a statement on social media which read: ‘You have to know how to leave the table when respect is no longer served. Following the incident that took place last week at the training centre and for which I decline all responsibility, I have decided on this day of 02/11/2023 to end my collaboration with Montpellier Herault Sports Club.
I spent two years in this family club where I took pleasure to share my high-level experience with my teammates and my “little brothers” from the centre of training. At the same time, I thank them for their support as well as the medical staff without forgetting the supporters who appreciated my time at the club.
Thanks also to the sports director Bruno Carotti for his loyalty to me throughout my Montpellier adventure. Finally, I wanted to give a special thanks to the president, Laurent Nicollin, who like his late father did before him, heads the MHSC with the values and principles that are dear to me. We met as men, we leave as men. Happy end of the season. Mamadou Sakho.’
Analysis: What Led To Mamadou Sakho’s Departure From Montpellier?
Mamadou Sakho’s departure from Montpellier has been a long time coming. The 33-year-old defender had been at the club since 2021 and had become a fan favorite due to his leadership and experience. However, his relationship with manager Michel Der Zakarian had been strained for some time, with reports of a physical altercation between the two surfacing in October of 2023.
The altercation reportedly occurred during a training session when Sakho confronted Der Zakarian about his team selection for an upcoming match. The altercation quickly escalated and resulted in Sakho grabbing Der Zakarian by the collar and knocking him to the ground.
Following the incident, Montpellier suspended Sakho and gave him 10 days to reflect on his actions. During this time, both parties agreed to end their contractual relationship in good faith.
Sakho released a statement expressing his gratitude for his time at Montpellier and thanking the club for their support during his two-year stay. He also thanked president Laurent Nicollin for leading the club with values and principles that were dear to him.
Ultimately, it appears that Sakho’s altercation with Der Zakarian was the final straw in what had been a strained relationship between player and manager. While it is unfortunate that it ended in such a manner, it appears that both parties have come away from the situation in good faith and are ready to move on.