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I needed to push loyal de Marigny to take Wanderers job, reveals Babbel

Deposed Western Sydney Wanderers coach Markus Babbel has revealed how he cajoled former assistant Jean-Paul de Marigny into taking up the mantle as his interim successor.

Babbel Jean-Paul de Marigny

Markus Babbel, left, and Jean-Paul de Marigny in 2018 Source: AAP

De Marigny was, according to Babbel, considering his own position after the German was axed a month ago, and needed a little nudge to grasp the opportunity of taking the lead role at the struggling club.

A sense of solidarity after 18 months working in tandem together, had left de Marigny feeling conflicted, claims Babbel.

“When this happened, JP was also thinking ‘I’m out as well’,” Babbel said.

“But I told him ‘don’t be stupid because this is a great opportunity for you’.

“You don’t have so many teams in Australia like Europe or Asia or wherever. If you get this opportunity you have to take it. You must take it.

“I’m not the sort of person that says ‘no you can’t do it because you were sitting in the same boat as me’.

“They’re aren’t many options here in Australia - so you have to take chances when you come.”
Babbel never buckled in the face of media allegations that de Marigny was actively seeking to undermine him, with the goal of landing the top job himself.

With the benefit of hindsight, Babbel’s opinion of his former No.2 hasn’t altered.

“I told him at the time ‘you were always 100 per cent loyal to me and honest to me, and you have to do this’,” added the former Liverpool defender.

“I believe in JP. He is a fantastic coach. We worked very honestly, with a lot of trust together and we had some fantastic times. I really believe he is a top coach and he can bring the club to where they want to go.

“We worked so many hours together ... he always gave 100 per cent and that’s all you can ask of anybody."

A 3-1 win against the battling Central Coast Mariners, followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw with second-bottom Newcastle Jets have confirmed the enormity of the task facing de Marigny, with the Wanderers seven points off the play-off places.

Babbel, meanwhile, is still incredulous at the assertions of de Marigny purportedly plotting against him.

“People saw we were close and wanted to create something between us,” he said.

“He was happy I was on his side, and defended him, and for me it was clear ‘hey, he’s my man I have to protect him because what was written was not the truth. Someone was lying. He’s a genuine guy and a top guy.”

Babbel plans to remain in Sydney until May, and is actively considering his next career move, with Asia or North America on his radar.

“I’ve spoken with a couple of guys (about the future) but for the moment I also enjoy the rest as well,” he said.

“But I’m having a look at what’s going on. It’s difficult to say where next.

“I’ve had this fantastic experience here in Australia and it’s also opened my mind do something different.

“I’m not only focused on Europe but also I can imagine North America, Asia or whatever.

“In the past, I have nothing in my head about this but having worked in Australia and the experience I have had here has opened my eyes to the possibilities.

“Coming to Australia wasn’t a mistake. I enjoyed it so much, as did my family, and now we are looking forward.


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4 min read
Published 18 February 2020 3:25pm
By Dave Lewis

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