‘We don’t need to do these kinds of things’ – Jonathan Clauss on Marseille’s Rome camp | OneFootball

Few people are as familiar with the turbulent context at Olympique de Marseille as Jonathan Clauss (32). The France international was hounded out of the club in the summer, falling into OGC Nice’s grateful arms.

By the time of his departure, his relationship with the club’s management, as well as the fans, had broken down after Marseille had failed to force his departure in the January window. Upon his return to the Vélodrome, he did not receive a warm welcome.

Marseille can be a sink or swim environment and even the club’s sporting director, Medhi Benatia, has referenced how sometimes those inside the club look to bring about its own demise. The solution for Roberto De Zerbi at the end of the season has been to escape the city of Marseille entirely.

The squad have moved to Rome on a training camp that may continue until the end of the season. Clauss has now spoken about the unprecedented decision, stating that there is no reason for such drastic measures at his current club. “I don’t think we need to do these kinds of things. The coach (Franck Haise) knows where he wants to go. I think he leads his squad very well, especially in recent times when we have been going through a tough period. He hasn’t targeted anyone. On the contrary, he has found the right words to remobilise everyone and take us higher,” said Clauss.

Whilst Haise has been publicly critical of some of his players during a five-game winless run that came to an end at the hands of SCO Angers last weekend, extreme measures such as delocalising the club have never been on the agenda.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice