Big changes for Olympique de Marseille

Marseille have appointed Jorge Sampaoli as their new coach, the troubled French club's American owner Frank McCourt announced in a statement on Friday. Sampaoli, a much-travelled Argentine, replaces Portuguese Andre Villas-Boas who was suspended by the club earlier this month.

Villas-Boas decided to walk away after being denied control of the club’s transfer dealings. The last straw for the former Tottenham Hotspur was the signing of Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham on the transfer deadline day.

The 60-year-old manager Sampaoli arrives after his decision resign from his post as manager of Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro earlier this week after just a year in charge. He won the Copa America with Chile in 2015 and oversaw Argentina's disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign. In between he spent a season in Spain in charge of Sevilla. He worked for a year at Santos before joining Atletico in March 2020 but has now said goodbye to the Serie A side with an open letter.

"I have come to the end. This Thursday will be the last match. I am left with regret for not having been able to lead the team with a full stadium due to covid-19 pandemic."

Disappointed Villas-Boas hands in resignation at Marseille

Marseille’s controversial owner McCourt said he wanted to start a "new chapter" and promised "profound changes" at the club, firing president Jacques-Henri Eyraud, who has become a target of fan discontent and replacing him with sporting director Pablo Longoria.

Marseille, second when last season was cut short, are seventh this season, 20 points behind leaders Lille.