‘We’ve hit rock bottom’ – Marseille manager Gattuso alludes to relegation fears
Olympique de Marseille manager Gennaro Gattuso has stated that the club should “no longer talk about Europe” and instead start looking over their shoulder following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stade Brestois.
It is Marseille’s worst start to a calendar year since 1978 and their away form is the worst in Ligue 1 this season. Having not won in the league since 17th December, alarm bells are now starting to ring for Gattuso. The club are currently ninth and six points off sixth-placed RC Lens. There is a comfortable eight-point buffer to FC Nantes, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot, however, the Italian manager is more concerned with securing safety than with launching a charge towards the European places.
“We’ve hit rock bottom,” began Gattuso in his post-match press conference. “When you hit rock bottom, you have to take responsibility. It’s my responsibility. There is nothing else to say. The table? The truth is that we’re going to have to start looking behind us. We can no longer speak about Europe. We just need to take the necessary points to be calm in the standings,” he added.
Having replaced Marcelino in September, Gattuso has failed to spark a revival at Marseille. His continuation at the club beyond the end of the season is contingent upon a European qualification, however, as the club slips further towards the relegation places, an even earlier departure cannot be ruled out.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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