Barring an improbable last-minute turnaround, Jorge Sampaoli will be the successor of André Villas-Boas on the Marseille bench.
This 60-year-old disciple of Marcelo Bielsa is expected to sign a contract until June 2023 for a monthly salary of just over 300,000 euros.
Sampaoli will land in Marseille as soon as he finishes the season with Brazilian club Atlético Mineiro.
He could even lead his first match on February 28, when Lyon received at the Orange Vélodrome.
His only experience at the head of a European club dates back to the 2016-2017 season with Sevilla FC.
Adil Rami, now in Boavista, was one of his defenders.
The world champion, who then played two years in Marseille, retains a very special affection for the Argentine coach, also passed on the bench of the national team.
You played under Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla FC.
What memories do you keep of him?
ADIL RAMI.
I like everything about him.
His grinded in particular.
He's still 100%.
I call him the coach straight to the point, so it should go well for OM (
smile
).
His thing is attack, attack and attack.
He hates building his game on defense.
I remember a game with Sevilla against Barcelona, which was super strong at the time.
We lost (1-2) but we had a lot of fun.
Before the match, he told us: “Officially, we will defend with five but in reality, you defenders, you will be only three.
And you Adil, you will take Messi at the marking.
I took him for a madman but in fact, that day, we had made Barcelona tremble.
This team used to be feared.
We got into it.
I loved it.
What is his training method?
We work on cardio with him because you have to constantly run.
But he is always smiling and positive.
He was one of the best coaches of my career, behind Unai Emery, and I loved his playing philosophy.
Can he do good for OM?
Yes, his madness can do good in Marseille.
But not to that OM.
It will take a hell of a lot of recruitment because I think that the current workforce does not go at all with the style of play that he advocates.
For example, I know he's not always fond of tall, beefy center-backs.
He prefers them small but fast.
There is not that for the moment in Marseille.
He needs guys who can play fast and who are very resistant because he demands of his team to play high enough on the pitch.
Him, he wants his team to attack all the time.
His obsession is to score goals.
No not to cash in.
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Does his look, with his shaved head and numerous tattoos, herald a mean character?
This mistake must not be made.
You might think he is very tough, but in reality, he is above all very endearing.
I absolutely love.
I know that if I saw him again tomorrow, I would want to hug him.
Its aggressive look hides an artichoke heart.
Sampaoli is a very sensitive person who loves football and its players.
Regardless of the critics, he will always stay true to his ideas.
Whether it passes or it breaks.