Marseille make Paulo Fonseca top managerial target
Jean-Louis Gasset is only a stop-gap at Olympique de Marseille and the club are already in search for his successor, according to a report from L’Équipe.
Gasset was brought in to replace Gennaro Gattuso on a firefighter mission and to secure some form of European football for Marseille for next season. Whilst OM are in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, they currently lie 8th in Ligue 1. Qualification for European football next season therefore remains an uncertainty.
It is within this context that Marseille are conducting their managerial search. As was the case last summer, Paulo Fonseca has emerged as a primary target; this time, he is the primary target. Whereas Lille OSC were unwilling to let Fonseca leave last summer, they will have little choice in the matter this summer as the Portuguese manager’s contract reaches its expiry. Les Dogues will be hoping that qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League will convince him to stay.
However, Les Phocéens aren’t alone in displaying an interest. English clubs, as well as AC Milan are also courting Fonseca. The uncertainty surrounding Marseille’s presence in European football perhaps puts them at a disadvantage.
Other names have been touted. FC Porto’s Sergio Conceiçao is a profile admired by Mehdi Benatia, however, he too also figures on AC Milan’s shortlist. Franck Haise, who has long since been admired by OM president Pablo Longoria is another name being considered for the managerial role at the Vélodrome, which will become vacant in just a matter of weeks.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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