Why outburst from Bordeaux coach Gus Poyet has led to a one-week suspension

Sport360 staff 17:12 17/08/2018
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  • Bordeaux manager Gus Poyet has been suspended for a week by the Ligue 1 club.

    Bordeaux have suspended coach Gus Poyet for a week after he criticised the Ligue 1 outfit and accused them of selling a player behind his back.

    Former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Poyet took charge of Les Girondins in January and guided them to a place in the Europa League qualifiers.

    But he upset the owners with an outpouring of anger aimed at their involvement in transfer dealings and has since been handed a one-week suspension.

    Speaking at his press conference following a 2-1 Europa League qualifying win over Ukrainian outfit Mariupol, Poyet is reported to have claimed it was a “disgrace” that forward Gaetan Laborde had been sold to rivals Montpellier without his knowledge.

    Poyet, who previously managed Brighton and Sunderland, was initially reported to have been sacked over the episode. That remains a possible future outcome after Bordeaux president Stephane Martin confirmed the suspension.

    “We think he overstepped the mark,” Martin said at his own media briefing on Friday morning.

    “The club has taken this decision. Concerning what led him to make these comments, that’s up to him, it’s for him to respond to that.

    “You’ve been able to see the tension for two months but for the first six months there wasn’t any. The start of the transfer window marked the tensions which have only festered.

    Poyet was Sunderland manager from 2013-15.

    Poyet was Sunderland manager from 2013-15.

    “It remains a surprise despite everything, an outburst as violent as that, after a victory. After such comments, it would seem complicated for me to act as if nothing happened.”

    Martin did not rule out the potential of the situation being resolved amicably after announcing Poyet will meet with the club next week to discuss whether he will continue as boss.

    Bordeaux later confirmed on their official website that fitness coach Eric Bedouet will take the reins for the Ligue 1 clash at Toulouse on Sunday, with Martin insisting no plans have been made to replace Poyet permanently.

    “Listen, for the moment there is still a procedure which isn’t finished,” Martin added in his press conference, which was shown on Bordeaux’s website.

    “Before talking about a future coach we have to wait until next Friday. At the moment we’re only talking about a lay-off.

    “(Until) last night, changing coach wasn’t something we were thinking about. We are in particularly unusual circumstances, we’ve been caught off guard a little. Wait until next Friday.”

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