Dimitri Payet On Leaving West Ham: ‘I Didn’t Like Defensive System, I was Bored’

Dimitri Payet has finally revealed what exactly made him want to part ways with West Ham.

The French midfielder, who will be 30 later this month, rejoined Marseille in a £25 million ($30 million) deal at the end of the January transfer window. This came after Payet demanded to leave West Ham less than one year after joining the Premier League club.

“The way we played, the defensive system we used, didn’t please me,” the winger told L’Equipe. “You could say I was bored. I had had contact with Marseille and most notably with [Marseille coach] Rudi Garcia, who had a philosophy that I knew well.

“The choice was quick. If I waited six months I would lose six months.

Payet continued: “With West Ham at home against Hull, we won 1-0 and they hit the post four times, In the changing room everyone was happy, but the the man of the match that day was the post.

“I thought that I would not have room for improvement. On the contrary, I risked regressing. I need another challenge.”

The Frenchman insists he has no problem with Croatian manager Slaven Bilic, although he admits he wasn’t surprised by the backlash from fans.

“That is normal. They hated me as much as they loved me. It is for that reason that the reactions were so violent. I cannot blame them,” he said.

“During a year and a half, they gave me a lot and I will never forget it. Was I scared? No. It was more complicated for my family. A lot of things were said, but there were no worries with my car, for example. Me, I continued to live normally.”

Payet also added: “The most important thing is that I am where I wanted to be. And the best is yet to come. I didn’t think about turning my back on the Premier League. Certain people spoke nastily but that remains their opinion.”

Before he left West Ham, several reports began stating the inability of his wife and three children to settle in England had been crucial to his desire to return to Marseille.

“That was another factor in the decision,” said Payet. “When I am happy on the pitch, it’s because everything is going well off it. When it’s complicated at family level that can stop you from being at ease in your job.”

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21:  Dimitri Payetof West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal from a free kick during The Emirates FA Cup fifth round match between Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United at Ewood park on February 21, 2016 in Blackburn, England.  (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)