Jean-Louis Gasset has been confirmed as the next manager of Olympique de Marseille ahead of the club’s Europa League second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Gasset replaces Gennaro Gattuso following the club’s loss in confidence in the ability of the Italian manager to secure their goals for the end of the season: progression in the Europa League and finishing within a European position.
The Thursday night match against Shakhtar will be a crucial test for the new manager, as the game sits firmly in the balance following the disappointing 2-2 draw away at the Ukrainian side.
As the new manager stated in the press release, “It is a huge honour for me to join the legendary club that is Olympique de Marseille. I can’t wait to start working with this group to prepare for the next deadlines and give the best of ourselves.”
Although there was no official confirmation of the length of the contract, it has been reported previously that Gasset would likely only be in the role as an interim appointment until the end of the season.
Gasset was free to take the role following his exit from the Côte d’Ivoire during the middle of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. The manager left the national side following a bruising group stages, and while he secured qualification to the knockout rounds, he took no part in their subsequent turnaround and eventual success as The Elephants won their third AFCON.
GFFN | Nick Hartland