Giannelli Imbula Reopens Door to France U21s After Past Missteps
Once seen as a rising star in French football, Giannelli Imbula has had a rocky relationship with the national setup—particularly during his time with the France U21s under former coach Willy Sagnol. However, the midfielder appears ready to turn the page and embrace a new chapter under current Espoirs coach Pierre Mankowski.
According to Footballclubdemarseille.fr, Mankowski spoke with the Olympique de Marseille midfielder on the sidelines of OM’s 2-1 win over Saint-Étienne. The purpose? To gauge Imbula’s interest in rejoining the U21 national team setup.
“I wanted to get his opinion on the Espoirs, to know if it interested him, and, yes, it interested him,” Mankowski said. “We talked more about the future than the past. He must have made a mistake. Everyone can make them. We must not let it happen again, that’s all.”
Mankowski emphasized that he laid out the expectations and standards expected from players within the France setup, comparable to those of the senior national team.
“I explained to him that the rules were the same as in the A team. He replied: ‘No problem.’”
Imbula, who has showcased impressive talent and physical presence in Ligue 1, was previously criticized for attitude issues during his time with the Espoirs. But this recent interaction suggests a willingness on his part to mature and re-engage with the national team project.
Whether this marks a turning point for his international career remains to be seen, but it’s clear both player and coach are open to a fresh start.
