PARIS: Classy Benin international attacking midfielder Stephane Sessegnon insisted on Thursday he saw no option but to leave high flying French giants Paris Saint Germain thereby alerting several interested English Premier League clubs.
The 26-year-old – who signed for PSG for 8mil from Le Mans in 2008 – told L’Equipe that he could not stay and play for coach Antoine Kombouare after being insulted by him at training on Tuesday.
“The coach insulted me,” said Sessegnon, who has been capped over 30 times by his country and also captained them.
“I believe that a coach cannot call one of his players ‘a**hole’ or call him ‘a s**t player’ as was the case with me on Tuesday. There that is what he said to me, I am not going to cover up what he said.
“Under these conditions, it appears to me that it is impossible to continue to play for Paris. Impossible.”
Sessegnon, who was nominated in the player of the 2008/09 season awards after a memorable debut campaign for PSG, said that he had been astonished by the personal nature of the attack by Kombouare, a former PSG central defender who as coach guided them to last season’s French Cup.
“It has gone too far,” he said referring to his relations with the coach.
“I had so much respect for him, he was someone I really appreciated, but what he said has really hurt me.
“He has his character, I have mine. But here, this has gone beyond repair ....” added Sessegnon, who reluctantly signed a year’s extension to his contract at the end of last term when several English clubs were seeking his services.
Kombouare, who cut his teeth coaching Valenciennes before PSG took him on in 2009, denied that he had used such language in his row with the player.
“I accept that the discussion was animated but never would I permit myself to insult him in such a manner,” said Kombouare.
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