February 23 – Following the acrimonious departure of Andre Villas-Boas and protests by the fans about the club’s poor form, Olympique Marseille have struck a verbal agreement with Jorge Sampaoli (pictured) to become their new head coach until June 2023, according to local reports.
The highly experienced former coach of both Argentina and Chile is expected to be installed by the first week of March but he was apparently way down the wanted list, with Ernesto Valverde, Maurizio Sarri, Rafael Benitez and a handful of other coaches apparently turning the club down.
Sampaoli, currently in charge of Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro, is expected to make the move at the end of the Brazilian league season.
But the Argentinian could apparently be in the south of France as early as Friday to sign a contract .
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713412104labto1713412104ofdlr1713412104owedi1713412104sni@w1713412104ahsra1713412104w.wrd1713412104na1713412104