Olympique Marseille is edging closer to finalizing the appointment of Marcelino as their new head coach, according to the reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Positive talks between the club and Marcelino took place recently, paving the way for a potential deal until 2025.
A Glance at Marcelino’s career
The 57-year-old manager shares a prior working relationship with Marseille president Pablo Longoria, who served as Valencia CF’s Technical Director during Marcelino’s successful tenure there.
Marcelino’s accomplishments include winning the Copa del Rey with Valencia CF in 2019 and securing the Spanish Super Cup at Athletic Bilbao in 2021.
His ability to achieve silverware at different clubs highlights his managerial acumen and makes him an attractive prospect for Marseille.
Marcelino to Olympique Marseille as new head coach, here we go! 🚨⚪️🔵 #OM #TeamOM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023
Agreement sealed until June 2025, two year contract to be signed this week as positive talks took place tonight. pic.twitter.com/iE6eXCEOKy
Marseille’s Quest for a New Coach
The decision to replace Igor Tudor as head coach prompted Marseille’s leadership to embark on an ambitious search for a suitable replacement.
Initially, their sights were set on Marcelo Gallardo, a highly regarded Argentine coach who enjoyed success at River Plate.
However, negotiations with Gallardo reportedly faltered due to Marseille’s ultimatum, causing the potential deal to collapse.
This setback prompted Marseille to shift their attention to Paulo Fonseca, the former AS Roma coach, who expressed his interest in the position.
Fonseca, still under contract with Lille until 2024, alerted his current club about Marseille’s pursuit, indicating his willingness to explore the opportunity, but eventually deal collapsed prompting Marseille to shift their focus on Marcelino.
