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Olympique de Marseille has confirmed the official appointment of Gennaro Gattuso as manager. The former AC Milan talismanic holding midfielder has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the club. Marseille were looking for a new manager after Marcelino resigned after only seven competitive games in charge of Les Phocéens. During last week’s upheaval at La Commanderie, the Spaniard called it quits.
Assistant coach Jacques “Pancho” Abardonado oversaw Marseille’s previous two Europa League games against AFC Ajax (3-3) and Paris Saint-Germain (0-4). Following the one-sided Classique, Marseille’s locker room quickly lost faith in Abardonado. Former PSG coach Christophe Galtier, who was born in Marseille, declined an approach from the OM board on Tuesday because he did not believe the moment was appropriate for him, given that Les Phocéens planned to announce their next coach within the next few days.
Gattuso, who previously held a management job at Olympique Lyonnais, has decided to take up the challenge of Olympique de Marseille.
According to L’Equipe, the 2006 World Cup champion with Italy will have his own five-person support group with him. These individuals include his dependable right-hand man Luigi Riccio, fitness trainers Dino Tenderini and Bruno Dominici, video analyst Marco Sangermani, and goalkeeping coach Roberto Perrone.
“I am extremely happy and grateful to join Olympique de Marseille.”
The Orange Vélodrome, a club and a stadium where I had the privilege to play, is famed throughout Europe for the enthusiasm and intensity that comes from it. “I can’t wait to get started with my new team and tackle the upcoming challenges,” stated the 45-year-old head coach.
