Tuesday, 4th March, 2014
Benfica-contracted winger Ola John has expressed his unhappiness at life with Hamburg, bemoaning the recent sacking of coach Bert van Marwijk, who tempted him to the club amid interest from Liverpool and Ajax.
John headed to Hamburg on loan from Benfica for the remainder of the season in January, hoping to help countryman Van Marwijk mastermind a surge up the Bundesliga table.
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But instead Van Marwijk toiled and was sacked last month, being replaced by ex-Hannover boss Mirko Slomka. Bad news for the former FC Twente man.
Speaking to NUsport, John said: "The departure of Van Marwijk was very painful. He wanted me. He brought me in during the winter and now that he has been fired shortly after is bad.
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"Until now, the new coach has not been good for me."
John was left on the bench for Hamburg's 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on 22nd February, while on Saturday he was left out of the squad completely against Werder Bremen.
And it is a situation the 21-year-old is finding anything but easy.
"I have been going to the dressing room and seeing a sheet saying I will not play. For a young player like me that is particularly difficult."
John is almost certain to head back to Benfica when his loan expires and it remains to be seen if his fringe status at the Portuguese club will change, or whether one of his suitors will make a move to sign him.
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