Dimitri Payet has conceded he can be horrible to manage when he wants to be in the wake of forcing a return to Marseille from West Ham at the start of the year.
The France international pushed for a move away from West Ham in January and reportedly even intimated he would refuse to play for the club in order to seal a return to Marseille.
Payet established himself as a firm fan favourite during his only full season at West Ham, but that status quickly faded after the way he manufactured his move back to France and he accepts he can be difficult to manage at times.
“I know how to be a d***head,” Payet told So Foot, via The Daily Telegraph. “It’s a little game. When I want to p*** everyone off, I do it.
“My managers understood that when I sulk, they talk to me. It’s a way for me to be hard. Those who know me play along, and, in the end, it goes well.
“I left [West Ham] for many reasons, but the main one was about football. West Ham’s objectives weren’t the same as the last season, and I felt in danger for my football and my chances with the national team. I had to make a choice.”
Since the start of last season, only Christian Eriksen (121) and Ryad Boudebouz (117) have made more key passes than Payet (115) in Europe’s top five leagues.
