Former Malian international Adama Coulibaly has opened up about his experiences in French football, shedding light on his time under iconic coaches and sharing personal anecdotes from his career.
Coulibaly, who also had stints with Valenciennes in Ligue 2, reflected on the recent controversy surrounding his former coach Bernard Casoni, who was fined for racist remarks.
Expressing his disbelief, Coulibaly said, “I was shocked to hear it. I knew a coach who didn’t differentiate between blacks and whites.
He actually had two favourites at Auxerre, Paul-Georges Ntep and Willy Boly. He loved these two players. For me, it’s nonsense.”
His defense of Casoni highlights the complex dynamics players often navigate in professional sports, where personal experiences can differ vastly from public narratives.
Turning his attention to another figure from his past, Coulibaly discussed Jean-Pierre Papin, who coached him at Lens during the 2007-2008 season and is now in charge of Olympique de Marseille’s reserve team.
Reflecting on Papin’s coaching approach, Coulibaly noted, “He didn’t finish the season with us. Papin was more of a manager.
It was new for us to see a coach who didn’t do the pitch. He had his assistants who managed the training sessions; he came for the pre-match talk.
At the time, it was new, it could partly explain his failure at Lens. I’m not in a position to talk about what he has become today.”
Coulibaly’s comments offer insight into the challenges some legendary players face when transitioning into management, where leadership styles and team dynamics can significantly impact success.
However, it was under the legendary Guy Roux at Auxerre that Coulibaly experienced one of his most memorable moments.
Known for his strict discipline and unique coaching methods, Roux left a lasting impression. Coulibaly recounted a humorous incident, saying, “One day, he shows up at breakfast, he finds us eating butter.
He was in a state. He goes straight to the cook to tell him: ‘No more butter or chocolate for breakfast!’ And he said to him, ‘Pick all that up for me.’ We were there, laughing quietly. From that day on, every morning it was soup for breakfast.”
This anecdote reflects Roux’s attention to detail and his dedication to maintaining player fitness, even if it meant altering their breakfast menu.
Adama Coulibaly’s reflections not only highlight the diverse coaching styles he encountered but also provide a glimpse into the relationships and moments that shaped his footballing career.
From defending former coaches to sharing light-hearted memories, Coulibaly’s journey through French football remains rich with experience and lessons learned.
