Since André Villas-Boas was dismissed as a conservatory on February 2, Marseille has been looking for a new coach while entrusting the interim to Nasser Larguet, the director of the training center.
Quickly, Pablo Longoria, the director of football, made Jorge Sampaoli, 60, his priority.
The former Argentina coach is under contract with the Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro until December 2021. Asked, this Thursday at a press conference, about the pronounced interest of Marseille, the former coach of the Argentinian dodged.
“OM?
What interests me is that Atlético finishes as high as possible, he assured.
I have high hopes that this new team, which we recently formed, will have the opportunity to achieve something important for the club.
What interests me is that we won our three matches until the end of the season
(Editor's note: February 26 against Palmeiras)
.
"
READ ALSO>
At OM, they are all fans of Pablo Longoria
Behind this very diplomatic speech, the entourage of Sampaoli confirms the existence of discussions with OM, 9th in Ligue 1 with two games late.
From sources close to the Olympian club, we abound while preparing for necessarily complex negotiations with regard to the contractual situation of the former Sevilla coach wishing to come with his staff.
Optimization prevails, however, even if Marseille will probably not be able to avoid the settlement of a release clause for the benefit of its Brazilian counterpart, estimated at 700,000 euros.
It will also be necessary to settle the question of the salary of Sampaoli whose current emoluments flirt with the 330,000 euros per month.
Anyway, the Marseille leaders, who will have, in parallel, to look into the case of André Villas-Boas, will have to be patient in the file of the Argentine technician.
In the best case, the latter, father since February 8 of a 4th child, a little boy named Bento, could land in Provence at the beginning of March after having completed the championship with the Belo Horizonte club, currently 3rd at 5 lengths of the leader of the Internacional.
Bento veio ao mundo.
Sampaoli agora tem um filho mineiro.
“Chiquinho”?
O argentino agora tem Minas Gerais eternizada na família.
pic.twitter.com/ZjwfxAgA8z
- HENRIQUE ANDRÉ (from 🏡) (@ohenriqueandre) February 8, 2021
At Atlético Mineiro, after having thought, a few weeks ago, to extend his coach for a year, we seem to have resolved to see him go.
According to various Brazilian media, there are already three tracks to replace him: Tiago Nunes, Cuca and Renato Gaúcho.