Belgian midfielder Orel Mangala has developed his own mentality to get over the disappointment of a failed move to Everton, and a long injury layoff.
That’s according to his ‘mental coach’ Nicolas Lecoq[. He’s been speaking to DH Net](https://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/diablesrouges/2025/11/27/une-course-contre-la-montre-mais-sans-bruler-les-etapes-comment-orel-mangala-a-gere-son-absence-de-plus-de-300-jours-MJUOKBXP5FGCLCLEW7HKZVCBIA/) about the midfielder’s return from a long-term knee injury.
The newspaper explains that the midfielder, now back at Lyon, is closing in on a return after being absent since last January.
He suffered a serious knee injury while playing on loan at Everton. That was disappointment enough as he was ‘hoping to stay there’ and establish himself in the Premier League. It also pushed him out of the Belgium set up. He had previously been a key player under Domenico Tedesco.
Ten months later, he’s now looking to return. But it’s been a period of ‘long hardship’ in between. One of the toughest aspects has been watching teammates at Everton and Lyon playing, travelling and even socialising without him.
Player trying everything after Everton injury
---------------------------------------------
The rehabilitation process has been the longest of his career. And Lecoq has revealed that the midfielder has developed his own method of getting through the mental hardship. That includes something inspired by the famous Mamba Mentality of basketball player Kobe Bryant. He’s called it ‘Mangality’.
_“It’s difficult because so many things come at you, and you ask yourself a lot of questions in those moments,”_ explained the mental coach.
_“But he did everything he could to ensure his return went as smoothly as possible, avoiding getting bogged down by what might be happening around him._
_“Orel possesses this simplicity, this strength, this determination to come back as quickly as possible, but also as strong as possible._
_“It’s a paradox of simplicity and ambition, but also of enjoyment and a will to win. It’s also about resilience. It is what he embodies, it’s not an act._
_“We had daily check-ins to discuss his feelings and progress through the different stages. It was like climbing a staircase, with his return to the group being the final step.”_