Latest news with #MatthieuUdol
Al Arabiya
5 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Metz Captain Udol Is Refusing to Train and Wants to Leave His Hometown Club
Newly promoted Ligue 1 club Metz is in an awkward position because captain Matthieu Udol is refusing to train and wants to leave. Udol was born in Metz and has played almost his entire career for his hometown club, making 185 appearances since 2015 as a solid left back. But he did not turn up when preseason training began on Monday, putting coach Stéphane Le Mignan in a difficult spot. 'We're disappointed that he's not with us and it's upsetting because he's our captain,' Le Mignan said on Tuesday at a news conference. 'I spoke to him on the phone before the restart and he told me he wanted to leave. It's not a pleasant situation but we're here to move forward, so I'm focusing on the pitch and the players who want to work.' Udol has two years left on his contract and Metz could make some much-needed money selling him, with budgets restricted amid low TV revenue this season. Le Mignan is feeling somewhat torn though, saying Metz stuck by Udol through several knee injuries. 'We have a player who has been loyal to the club, but the club has also been loyal (to him) in difficult situations,' Le Mignan said. 'I have discussed this with the president, of course, because it is very important both from a sporting and financial point of view. I don't know how the situation will develop.' Midfielder Gauthier Hein, the club's key player when it won a relegation–promotion playoff against Reims in May to earn promotion, is also caught in two minds. 'We need Matthieu in the team this season and we would be very happy if he stayed,' Hein said. 'But as his best friend I also have to think about his well-being as a person (and) I want him to flourish no matter where.' Metz starts its campaign in mid-August at home to Strasbourg.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Metz captain Udol is refusing to train and wants to leave his hometown club
Newly promoted Ligue 1 club Metz is in an awkward position because captain Matthieu Udol is refusing to train and wants to leave. Udol was born in Metz and has played almost his entire career for his hometown club, making 185 appearances since 2015 as a solid left back. But he did not turn up when preseason training began on Monday, putting coach Stéphane Le Mignan in a difficult spot. 'We're disappointed that he's not with us, and it's upsetting because he's our captain,' Le Mignan said on Tuesday at a news conference. 'I spoke to him on the phone before the restart and he told me he wanted to leave. It's not a pleasant situation, but we're here to move forward, so I'm focusing on the pitch and the players who want to work.' Udol has two years left on his contract and Metz could make some much-needed money selling him with budgets restricted amid low TV revenue this season. Le Mignan is feeling somewhat torn, though, saying Metz stuck by Udol through several knee injuries. 'We have a player who has been loyal to the club, but the club has also been loyal (to him) in difficult situations,' Le Mignan said. 'I have discussed this with the president of course, because it is very important both from a sporting and financial point of view. I don't know how the situation will develop.' Midfielder Gauthier Hein, the club's key player when it won a relegation-promotion playoff against Reims in May to earn promotion, is also caught in two minds. 'We need Matthieu in the team this season and we would be very happy if he stayed,' Hein said. 'But as his best friend, I also have to think about his wellbeing as a person (and) I want him to flourish, no matter where.' Metz starts its campaign in mid-August at home to Strasbourg. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FC Metz want to retain Matthieu Udol amid Lens interest
Metz president Bernard Serin has declared that he wants captain Matthieu Udol to remain at the club this summer, amid strong interest from RC Lens – but insists that the Ligue 1 returnees will not stand in his way at all costs. Speaking to Le Républicain Lorrain, Serin made clear that Metz hope to build their top-flight squad around Udol, who played a pivotal role in last season's promotion. The 29-year-old left-back was a standout performer in the club's play-off victory over Reims, scoring twice and providing an assist across the two legs. Advertisement 'When you have a player like Matthieu, the aim is to construct a competitive team around him, around the captain,' explained Serin. 'That's why we want to keep him.' However, the Metz president also struck a pragmatic tone. Serin warned that the club 'won't go to war' with their captain over a transfer. 'The decision ultimately belongs to the club,' he added. Udol is under contract until June 2027 and is believed to be tempted by the opportunity to join Lens, though no agreement is yet in place, according to L'Équipe. Metz are reportedly only willing to sanction a departure on two conditions: that the suitor is not involved in a relegation battle, and that a satisfactory financial offer is made. Otherwise, a stay in Moselle remains a possibility. In anticipation of the new season, Metz have already added Yannis Lawson (20) as a backup at left-back, while Udol would form part of the club's spine alongside Benjamin Stambouli, Jessy Deminguet and Gauthier Hein. GFFN | George Boxall
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Metz held by Reims in Ligue 1 play-off first leg
Cedric Kipre's second-half header grabbed Reims a 1-1 draw against Metz in the first leg of their Ligue 1 relegation/promotion playoff on Wednesday at the Stade Saint-Symphorien. Matthieu Udol put Metz in front seven minutes before half-time, but Ivorian Kipre flicked in Sergio Akieme's free-kick early in the second period. Advertisement Reims held on to ensure the tie would be level heading into next Thursday's second leg at the Stade Auguste Delaune. Samba Diawara's men are hoping to avoid relegation from the top flight for the first time since being promoted in 2018 after finishing 16th in Ligue 1. Metz -- who were relegated last season after losing the play-off to Saint-Etienne -- reached the final with victory over Dunkerque last week, having blown their automatic promotion hopes with a late collapse to finish third in Ligue 2 behind Paris FC and Lorient. jc/nf
