Yeah, in some ways. It’s sad for the team but on the other side, it was better for the players so it depends on how you look at it. There were a lot of players that benefited a lot though it was complicated for the teams.
Kiki Musampa in action for Seoul against Incheon United
Some in Holland say you left Ajax too early. Would you agree?
I was young when I left, that’s true but in view of the situation, it was the best thing to do. It was the time that Louis Van Gaal was leaving Ajax and the new coach Martin Olsen arrived with 11 new players.
You have to be realistic, you’re a young player with two years experience, there is a new coach who I didn’t think was waiting play bazaar for young players to come through – he had 11 new players. It’s a big squad. You know you’re chances will be less and that you be spending a lot of time in the second team.
So then you have to make a choice. Do you want to take two steps back or are you prepared to go and play elsewhere? I chose the latter and I am happy I made that choice because when I look at the guys who stepped back, it was very hard for them and they never really came out of it.
Then you went to Bordeaux. They had a good team…
I went at a good time. A year later we were even champions of France, it was a good choice.
Then Spain. You spent a long time there, relatively. Do you think that was your happiest time as a player?
Yes, especially at Malaga at the beginning. I had to settle down and find my way in a new culture, a new language. I was quite young at the time so didn’t know what to expect. But I was enjoying the game more and more and had some good years at Malaga.
Spanish football suited you?
Yes, it was good for me definitely. I had a free role from the coach and he really knew how to get the best from the players.
Why did you then leave for Atletico?
Well, I think Atletico is a huge club. When you are playing at Malaga, it is a club that you can’t say no to. It is the third biggest club in Spain and I had no choice. I had been at Malaga for four years and it was a good time to move.
But for you, your time at Atletico wasn’t as successful?
No, definitely not. It’s quite a complicated club with many things going on behind the scenes, a lot of politics.
And then you went to England and Manchester City? How was playing in Manchester?
Playing in Manchester was great. I had always wanted to experience playing in England so when I got the chance to go to City, I just had to go. It is a good club and I really enjoyed my time there. It was frustrating because we wanted to play in Europe. On the last day we could have done it in a dramatic game against Middlesbrough.
sattamatka 