It's an open secret.
Jorge Sampaoli will be well, except very improbable change in trend, the successor of André Villas-Boas, laid off on February 2.
According to our information, an agreement between the current coach of Atletico Mineiro and the Marseille club is imminent.
"It is now only a matter of days", confides a person close to the file.
The 60-year-old technician quickly emerged as the priority of Pablo Longoria, the Marseille football director.
Even before Villas-Boas were sidelined, Sampaoli was already one of the tracks being considered for next season in case AVB did not extend his contract.
The precipitate departure of the latter only had the effect of accelerating things.
Engaged with the Belo Horizonte club until December 2021, Sampaoli is particularly receptive to OM's proposals.
According to corroborating sources, he has even started looking for a French teacher to facilitate his integration.
This disciple of Marcelo Bielsa intends to land in Marseille with at least three assistants and a two-and-a-half-year contract in his pocket, that is until June 2023 according to our information.
On the bench against Lyon?
It is now just a question of waiting for the end of the Brazilian championship before the officialization of his arrival on the Olympic bench.
Good thing, this one is coming to an end.
Atletico Mineiro, current 4th, has nothing more to lose or gain in this competition.
He will be traveling to Recife this Sunday evening before welcoming Palmeiras on February 26 at the end of the season.
It remains to be seen whether the former Albiceleste coach could lead his first match in Marseille 48 hours later, namely on February 28, during the Olympico at the Orange Vélodrome.
A Brazilian source lets go "anything is possible", thus leaving the door open to all hypotheses.
In Marseille, Sampaoli, whose only experience at the head of a European club dates back to the 2016-2017 season with Sevilla FC, should receive a salary slightly above 300,000 euros.
The divorce with Atletico Mineiro must be done amicably.
As for the succession of the Argentinian, two other names joined Renato Gaucho (Grêmio): Leonardo Jardim (free) and Cuca (Santos).