Louis Saha has revealed the reasoning behind his Everton exit in January 2012.
The Frenchman spent three and a half years at Goodison Park before signing for Tottenham on a free transfer midway through the 2011/12 season, somewhat to the surprise of many Everton fans.
The former Fulham and Manchester United forward had been Everton’s main striker up until that point, and Nikica Jelavic was brought in as his replacement.
Talking to the Liverpool Echo, Saha revealed that it was a breakdown in his relationship with David Moyes that led to his eventual departure. Saha said:
I felt that whatever connection I had with David Moyes had been lost.
I’m loyal – if you speak to me and have the right communication, I can accept everything. But when you don’t speak to me and get the man management wrong, I’m like a kid – I’m just like, ‘It’s over’. That’s what happened.
I had an injury. I broke my ankle, and came back into the club early. I did all of pre-season on the bike to make sure that I’d be around the team, because they had younger players. I made a lot of effort to put my body on the line, but then I felt disrespected that he hadn’t embraced what I’d done to come back.
Not long after I came back, he put me in the stand without any communication, and I didn’t like that.
I had an argument with him, and once something like that happens, I act like a kid because I don’t feel defended. I didn’t feel protected by the players; that ‘It’s Louis, he’s done this for the club’.
So I made the decision that I needed to go.
Read Everton Verdict
If Saha isn’t the first player to complain about a breakdown in player-manager relationship at Everton, and if his word is to be believed, it is a clear indicator as to why David Moyes shouldn’t be welcomed back as manager.
The Scotsman clearly wasn’t a good man manager, and for all of his ability to find a hidden gem amongst the rough, his treatment of his players on a human level doesn’t appear to be up to standard.
Saha may not have had much left in the tank, but he should still have been treated better and in a more professional manner.
