The agent of former Newcastle midfielder Gael Bigirimana has talked about the reasons behind his player’s failure to break into the Magpies first team.
Bigirimana signed for Newcastle for close to £1million back in 2012 from Coventry City as a 18 year old but agent Lee Marsh has explained that a combination of the player’s poor attitude and the unwillingness of then manager Alan Pardew to help him integrate into the squad led to the move turning sour. In an exclusive interview with the Coventry Telegraph, Marsh said:
“There were a couple of scenarios where he turned up late for training when some people went to visit him. He took a few days off without asking and got himself a couple of fines that amounted to quite a few thousand quid – an alarming amount.”
“Whether it was a case of mature physically and capable of playing the game but immature in terms of how to handle the move, the pressure, the money and living away from Coventry where he was used to things.”
“Alan Pardew told him he wasn’t going to play first-team football for him. When a manager tells you that, no matter how much money you’re on, you’re uncomfortable.”
Bigirimana returned to Coventry in a loan spell last season although he didn’t play particularly well according to Marsh. The 22 year old however was given another chance by manager Tony Mowbray in the summer and the player agreed a short term deal after leaving Newcastle at the end of August. He has made 4 appearances in the first team since his return permanently to the Ricoh Arena.
