Jean-Louis Gasset wasted no time in finding a new coaching position after his recent dismissal by Ivory Coast. The experienced French coach was announced as the new coach of Olympique de Marseille (OM) on Tuesday, taking over from Gennaro Gattuso. The details of the contract were not disclosed. OM made the appointment one day after parting ways with Gattuso, seeking a fresh start amidst a lackluster season.
Gasset had a brief stint coaching Ivory Coast during the Africa Cup of Nations but was fired on the same day the team qualified for the knockout stage due to a poor start in the competition. The team managed to reach the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage but ultimately won the tournament under the guidance of his successor, Emerse Faé.
Although not widely recognized internationally, Gasset boasts extensive experience in French football, having spent years at various clubs including Montpellier, Saint-Etienne, and Bordeaux.
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“I am deeply honored to join this legendary club,” said the 70-year-old Gasset. “I am eagerly looking forward to working with this group to prepare for upcoming matches and deliver our best performances.”
Gattuso’s departure came after less than five months in charge of the team. He was relieved of his duties following Marseille’s 1-0 defeat against Brest last week, which significantly dampened the club’s hopes of qualifying for European competition next season. Marseille currently sits ninth in the standings, trailing league leaders Paris Saint-Germain by 23 points. The team has yet to secure a victory in any of their five league matches this year.
Since American owner Frank McCourt took over Marseille in 2016, the club has struggled to find stability, undergoing numerous coaching changes and experiencing occasional crises, some of which turned violent. The club has changed coaches a staggering 30 times since the start of the century.
Marseille must quickly regain their form to remain competitive on the European stage this season. The nine-time French champions will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of the Europa League preliminary round at Stade Vélodrome on Thursday. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw.
Marseille enjoyed dominant success in French football during the late 1980s and early 1990s and remains the only French team to have won the UEFA Champions League. However, the club has not won the national championship since 2010.
