http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 – Ligue 1 news
In Marseille, one of the players who did not stay at Canebiere for long and left a lasting impression was http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Van-Buyten-c10095.
Playing for the Rhone club from 2001 to 2004, the Belgian centre back is still an icon for the club and according to RMC, the 33-year-old has not forgotten about the Ligue 1 club as well.
Currently playing for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, the former Standard Liege man joined Marseille from the Belgian club and went on play 76 league games for Les Phoceens where he soon became a popular figure among the Marseille faithful.
While talking to media regarding his time at Marseille, the Belgian first spoke about his controversial departure from the Stade Velodrome in the 2004 winter transfer window.
The departure of Buyten from Marseille was actually instigated by Jose Anigo and Buyten still remembers it like it was yesterday.
“I was pushed towards the exit door. I wanted to stay. It happened two days before the end of the transfer window. Overnight, he told me that I can play no more. It was a bit harsh,” said a player who current Marseille coach Didier Deschamps very much wants
to bring back.
Clearly upset by his hasty and unceremonious departure, the Belgian now admits that he was contacted by the club a few seasons back. However, Bayern Munich insisted on keeping the Belgian.
However, the former Hamburger defender left the door ajar for a possible return to the Stade Velodrome by saying, “I am very happy for staying at Bayern. In football you never know. I am open to all options.”
With Buyten reaching the twilight of his footballing career and regular starts hard to come by at the Bavarian giants, Didier Deschamps might consider bringing in a former Marseille player back to the club. Though Les Phoceens have recovered from an abysmal
start to the season, the club still needs an experienced defender in their ranks.
After winning the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal twice with Munich and also playing regularly in the Champions League, Buyten will certainly bring a lot of stability and experience to Marseille’s defence.
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