Kalidou Koulibaly told an incredible story of how Maurizio Sarri placed him on the substitutes bench, after attending the birth of his son.
Back in 2016 January, Charline Oudenot, wife of the Senegalese defender, called him to inform that she was having labour just before a game against Sassuolo.
The 28-year old was afraid to inform it to his boss, but finally mustered up the courage.
Koulibaly said: “Sarri looks at me and says, “No, no, no. I need you tonight, Kouli. I really need you. You can’t go.”
“I say, “This is the birth of my son, Mister. You can do whatever you want to me. Fine me, suspend me, I don’t care. I am going.”
“Sarri looks so stressed, and he is smoking his cigarette. Smoking, smoking, thinking … then finally he says, “O.K., O.K., you can go to the clinic. But you have to be back for the match tonight. I need you, Kouli!”
But after returning from the clinic, Sarri had him benched down at the sideline.
@Ultra_Suristic and @SSCNmtl shared the incident on Twitter.
Koulibaly, the birth of his first child & Sarri… You can’t make this up. I’ve read it 7 times and my ribs still hurt 😂🤣https://t.co/1BCMeZayfB pic.twitter.com/wNOgkv5u7Z
— M•A•J (@Ultra_Suristic) June 27, 2019
So Sarri really made Koulibaly leave his wife and newborn son just to bench him at home vs Sassuolo… The man needs help
— Adriano (@SSCNmtl) June 27, 2019
“I am getting ready to play, and Sarri comes into the dressing room and puts up the team sheet. And I am looking… looking… looking,” Koulibaly added.
“My number is not there. I said, “Mister! Are you kidding me?” He said, “What? It is my choice.”
“I said, “Mister! My son! My wife! I left them! You said you needed me!” He said, “Yes, we need you on the bench.”
