Contoversial ex-Liverpool star suspended after FIGHT with coach
Tom Weber
- Updated: 25 Oct 2023 16:25 BST
- 4 min read
Former Liverpool and current Montpellier star Mamadou Sakho is again in the news for all the wrong reasons, according to French media.
The ex-Reds defender has always been a strange character. An exuberant personality, sometimes his ebullience borders on the unprofessional and it has come back to bite him more than once.
Sakho's Liverpool career essentially ended in 2016 after falling out with Jurgen Klopp. Despite showing plenty of promise and there clearly being a solid player in there, the Frenchman divided opinion and some Reds fans were more than happy to see the back of him.
READ: Klopp needs to act now to prevent of repeat of fatal Liverpool mistake
In 2016, Sakho was suspended by UEFA for failing a drug test before later being banished from the squad by Klopp. He was sent home from Liverpool's pre-season tour of the USA, with his boss later saying: "He missed the departure of the plane, he missed a session and then was late for a meal. I have to build a group here, I have to start anew, so I thought it maybe made sense that he flew home to Liverpool."
Now, Sakho is again in trouble with his coach but for a much more serious reason.
Former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho faces being sacked by Montpellier after fighting with head coach Michel Der Zakarian during a training session on Tuesday.
L'Equipe reports he grabbed the coach by the collar and pushed him to the ground. pic.twitter.com/lTs2Uwq6lW— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) October 25, 2023
Sakho fights coach
Aged 33 now and barely playing at Ligue 1 side Montpellier, Sakho has been involved in a bust-up with his coach Michel der Zakarian, according to L'Equipe. The two first engaged in a war of words after Sakho felt wronged by his manager in training.
When Der Zakarian allegedly called him a crybaby, the defender lost his temper and a physical altercation broke out that forced players and staff members to intervene. It is said that Sakho kicked his coach to the ground, breaking his necklace - a family heirloom - in the process, enraging the boss.
READ: Liverpool urged to beat Man Utd in race for 'future England starter'
The French outlet reports that Sakho has now been suspended, while Der Zakarian insisted that he has "nothing to say" on the matter when pressed for comment.
