Liverpool set to offload Ryan Babel; Didier Deschamps says he has no regrets on turning down Liverpool job
English Premier League club Liverpool look set to offload the Dutch midfielder Ryan Babel. The front-man is believed to be heading to German club Wolfsburg in a deal worth 9 million pounds.
The 23-year old is reportedly being perused by the former England manager Steve McLaren, who is in charge of Wolfsburg. Babel has not had the best of times since arriving at Liverpool, and had not been able to make a name among the top players since 2007.
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who brought him in, did give him numerous chances in his early time at Liverpool, but he failed to impress and was limited to cup games and off-the-bench appearances in the League. With the new manager Roy Hodgson also making it clear that Babel does not feature in his plans for the club, the time seems right for the winger to make his way out of Anfield.
Reportedly, both clubs have agreed terms on the deal, and it is up to Babel to discuss personal terms and the deal would be sealed.
The surprise deal between Liverpool and Wolfsburg comes as a welcome move for Liverpool, who have been looking to offload the fringe players ever since the transfer window opened.
Meanwhile, Liverpool could have been a team with a whole different season strategy had Didier Deschamps taken up the offer of managing the club. Before Roy Hodgson was approached by Liverpool, it was Olympique de Marseille manager Didier Deschamps who was offered the job. He turned it down and said that he does not want to manage English football at least for now.
When Rafael Benitez left Liverpool after mutual consent, the board quickly approached Deschamps for the vacant post. The former Chelsea player, though, felt that it was not the right time for him to make the switch. Deschamps, while talking to a French newspaper, said that he has no regrets over turning down the Liverpool job.
He said that at Marseille, he is very attached to the team and the fans. He added that the current job is not just a managerial post for him, but he also can relate to the whole team and its supporters. Deschamps said that although the offer was tempting, he decided it’s best for him to extend his time in France rather than taking on a big challenge in England. He said that he has great love and respect for Liverpool, and his decision to turn down the job does not mean that he thinks any low of the English club.
Deschamps has had a good time in the French League; he led Marseille to the French League 1 title last season; however, the start to the new season has not been the best for his team. Marseille has lost the first 2 matches of the new season.
The former French player said that he has a connection with Marseille that he can never have at any other club. He played for the club for a few years and also helped them to European club glory in 1993.
Deschamps said that he still has a lot more to achieve at Marseille, and has some big plans for the club. He added that had he left now, it would have been a job left in the middle and that is something he has never done in his career.
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