25 October 2023 , 12:07
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Mamadou Sakho is facing the sack at Montpellier after allegedly attacking his manager Michel Der Zakarian in training.
Reports in France claim that Sakho, who played in the Premier League for Liverpool and Crystal Palace, had a furious exchange with his boss. It's said the 33-year-old defender grabbed Der Zakarian by the collar and knocked him to the ground.
The alleged incident happened in front of several witnesses and was sparked after Der Zakarian refused to give a foul on Sakho during training. The player then stormed off the pitch as his furious manager told him the session was "not a la carte" (optional).
It's claimed Sakho responded to that remark by returning to the pitch and confronting Der Zakarian in a physical altercation. Sakho's team-mates and other members of staff intervened before Der Zakarian took his anger out by banging walls and doors.
French newspaper L'Equipe reported the alleged on Friday morning. It's believed Montpellier are considering their options, including a termination of the player's contact. Neither Sakho nor Der Zakarian have broken their silence on the allegations.
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Montpellier are best known for winning the Ligue 1 title in 2012 thanks to Olivier Giroud's goals, but tensions are high at the French club after a difficult start to the season. The former champions are 14th in the table, sitting just a point above the relegation zone.
Sakho, who joined Montpellier in July 2021, has fallen down the pecking order since club legend Der Zakarian was reappointed as manager in February. It's his second spell in charge of the team, having spent a decade at the Stade de la Mosson as a player.
Sakho has fallen down the pecking order at Montpellier since Michel Der Zakarian's return (Getty Images)What's your thoughts on the alleged altercation? Let us know in the comments below!
Sakho made 32 appearances during his first season with Montpellier but played just five times in the Ligue 1 last season following Der Zakarian's return. The manager informed the player he wasn't part of his plans during the summer but a solution wasn't found.
Sakho, who still has eight months left on his contract, has played just six minutes of football this season after coming off the bench during Montpellier's 3-0 win at Lorient earlier this month. He's struggling to even make the bench at times.
Sakho started his career with Paris Saint-Germain, playing more than 200 games for the club and winning the Ligue 1 title in 2013 before joining Liverpool that summer. He went on to feature 80 times for the Reds during a three-and-a-half-year spell.
The defender joined Palace, initially on loan, in January 2017 after falling out with Jurgen Klopp during a pre-season tour the previous summer. The 29-cap France international played 75 games for the Eagles before being released in June 2021.
Mirror Football have contacted Montpellier for comment.