Marseille have confirmed the appointment of Gennaro Gattuso as their new head coach.
The former AC Milan, Napoli and Valencia manager joins Les Parisiens following the departure of Marcelino, who left his post after just seven games in charge following threats from supporter groups.
Jacques Abardonado was placed in temporary charge for the weekend's clash with Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique, but he oversaw a disheartening 4-0 defeat to the champions, leaving Marseille eighth in the Ligue 1 table and winless in four games in all competitions.
Marseille were formerly thinking of hiring Christophe Galtier, but a multitude of factors - including his recent association with PSG and allegations of racism - saw the hierarchy opt for Gattuso instead.
"I am very happy and proud to join Olympique de Marseille. A club and a stadium, the Orange Velodrome, in which I had the opportunity to evolve as a player, famous throughout Europe for the passion and fervour that emanates from it. I can't wait to get to work with my new group and take on the next challenges that lie ahead," Gattuso told the official Marseille website.
Gattuso had been out of work since leaving Valencia in January, and the Italian boasts one major trophy in his managerial career so far, winning the 2019-20 Coppa Italia with Napoli.
Gattuso's first game in charge of Les Olympiens comes away to Monaco on Saturday evening, before the French side host Brighton & Hove Albion in next Thursday's Europa League showdown.
Ben Knapton
