Over the course of his career, Djibril Cissé enjoyed playing in the Premier League twice, first with Liverpool and then with Sunderland.
The player has already revealed how the move to Wearside took place in an interview with Le Phocéen, but he also discussed his exit from the Reds in the same chat.
Relayed by Le10 Sport, the now attacking coach revealed how the move to Marseille, where he signed from Liverpool, came about.
The 42-year-old had arrived from Auxerre in a €20m transfer back in 2004, but would only stay for two years before heading to the south of France, first on loan and then in a permanent deal the following year for €9m.
The former striker said: “My best memory of Marseille? When I found out I would be signing. I was at home in England. It wasn’t easy because I had learned that Benitez changed his plans and asked me to find a club, and when I find out it’s Marseille, it happened very quickly.
“It was only joy. My heart hurt a bit because my children were staying in England, but I had to go there during my career, otherwise it wouldn’t have been perfect. When I arrived, I was injured, but when I was introduced, I got a standing ovation from the crowd. I told myself I’d made the right choice.”
During his time at Liverpool, Cissé would make 79 appearances in all competitions, scoring 24 goals and assisting another five.
By contrast, he scored 37 in 80 games for Marseille, as well as nine assists.
