Newcastle United winger Florian Thauvin admits he wasn't planning to leave Olympique Marseille this summer

Thauvin says former OM coach Marcelo Bielsa's shock departure did play a role in his decision.

He told RMC: "It is going very well, I am very happy to have arrived here. People at the club have helped me with my integration. Newcastle is a club that courted me for years.

"Basically it was not planned that I leave. I refused several times to leave the club. For me, I still had something to do at the club. Newcastle insisted on me."

Thauvin added: "When the coach (Bielsa) left us, it was complicated for us. I knew it would be complicated to start the season with a new coach. It's true that it's been a little critical in my decision (to leave)."