Marseilles (AFP)
Frank McCourt, owner of OM, arrived in Marseille on Monday to meet groups of supporters and political leaders, we learned from a source close to the American magnate, a prelude to the arrival of his new coach, Jorge Sampaoli , expected Tuesday morning according to his entourage.
Following a period of poor results and deep tensions with the supporters, McCourt (67) made the decision to go to Marseille after having made a big upheaval at the head of the club on Friday, ousting President Jacques -Henri Eyraud, replacing him with sports director Pablo Longoria and announcing the appointment of Sampaoli.
The American businessman, who gave an interview to the regional daily La Provence on Monday, intends to meet with groups of supporters and the city's political and economic leaders in order to "discuss his long-term plans for the club". 'he bought back in 2016. In his statement released Friday, McCourt thanked the French authorities who facilitated the health arrangements for his arrival.
For his part, Sampaoli is due to arrive late in the morning in Marseille on Tuesday, on the eve of a trip by the Olympians to the championship leader Lille, AFP learned on Monday from a source in his entourage.
The 60-year-old Argentinian technician, who arrives from Brazil where he terminated his contract with Atlético Mineiro, risks being subjected to medical isolation for seven days upon his arrival.
This would delay his debut on the Marseille bench, perhaps until the reception of Rennes on March 10 in a late Ligue 1 match.
Until then, OM must face Lille on Wednesday (9 p.m.) in L1, then Canet-en-Roussillon (N2) on Sunday in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, no doubt remaining under the direction of the interim Nasser Larguet, director of his training center.
Sampaoli, former coach of Argentina and Chile, signed until June 2023 with Olympique de Marseille, who were looking for a long-term coach since the dismissal in early February of the Portuguese André Villas-Boas.
The Argentine was previously at the helm of Atlético Mineiro, a Belo Horizonte club which has just finished third in the Brazilian league.
© 2021 AFP