Former World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf has told Erik ten Hag to give Lisandro Martinez some extra time off following his success in Qatar.
Speaking to ESPN, Leboeuf said: “That guy became champion of the world and the coach says, ‘he needs to understand that he has to play very soon’. Forget about it, leave him alone. If you want a 100 per cent player with all the things in his head, don’t play him. We are going to talk about all the clubs wanting to bring some players back, especially the Argentinians who achieved something fantastic. I have been through that, when you win the World Cup you keep thinking why do you keep on working as a footballer player because you touched the Holy Grail? So it takes a little time to come back to earth and then to start playing again, to be effective again. So, if you want your players to be 100 per cent Mr Ten Hag, I just want to tell you, forget about Mr Martinez. It’s absolutely normal.”
Personally, I don’t think Ten Hag needs to take any advice on management from Leboeuf.
The Dutchman has worked with Martinez for several years and I reckon he knows exactly how to deal with him.
They must have been stuck for things to talk about at ESPN.
