Following a period of poor results and deep tensions with the supporters, McCourt (67) made the decision to go to Marseille after having made a big upheaval at the head of the club on Friday, ousting President Jacques -Henri Eyraud, replacing him with sports director Pablo Longoria and announcing the appointment of Sampaoli.
The American businessman intends to meet the groups of supporters and the political and economic leaders of the city in order to "discuss his long-term plans for the club" which he bought in 2016, according to comments made daily. regional.
In his statement released Friday, McCourt thanked the French authorities who facilitated the health arrangements for his visit.
The first photo, by @FredSpeich, of the new # OM chapter opened by Frank #McCourt and Pablo #Longoria.
The double page interview of the owner of the OM is to be found tomorrow in @ laprovencepic.twitter.com / uJPsaEfVcY
- Alexandre Jacquin (@ AJac13) March 1, 2021
For his part, Jorge Sampaoli is due to arrive late Tuesday morning in Marseille, on the eve of a trip from OM to the leader of the French championship Lille, AFP learned on Monday from a source in his entourage. .
The 60-year-old Argentinian technician, who arrives from Brazil where he terminated his contract with Atlético Mineiro, risks being subjected to medical isolation for seven days upon his arrival.
This would delay his debut on the Marseille bench, perhaps until the reception of Rennes on March 10 in a late match in the championship.
By then, Marseille must face Lille this Wednesday in the league, then Canet-en-Roussillon (4th French div.), Sunday in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, undoubtedly remaining under the direction of the interim Nasser Larguet, director of his training center.
Sampaoli, former coach of Argentina and Chile, signed until June 2023 with Olympique de Marseille, who were looking for a long-term coach since the dismissal in early February of the Portuguese André Villas-Boas.
The Argentine was previously at the helm of Atlético Mineiro, a Belo Horizonte club which has just finished third in the Brazilian league.
The best of Sampaoli on the bench of Atlético Mineiro
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