"We are satisfied with the path traveled and the emotions experienced together, but following a long reflection, the two parties, who are acting in the interest of the Olympique de Marseille project, have agreed to put an end to this step", writes OM in a press release.

The president of the club, Pablo Longoria, will say a little more during a press conference scheduled for 5:00 p.m., but the separation was decided around divergent ambitions between the two parties, or in any case on the timing of these ambitions.

"My pace and my goals are not the same as those of the leaders. There is nothing wrong with pretending different things. The important thing is to strive for excellence and to want what is there. the best for OM", wrote Sampaoli in a message posted on Instagram.

In fact, the two parties found that there was an incompatibility between the ambitions of Sampaoli in the Champions League and the financial means of OM in the transfer window.

Pressure from May

"He talked about players that you just can't afford," a source with knowledge of the latest discussions told AFP.

"Pablo can't jeopardize the project, he can't go at this pace."

With Sampaoli, OM finished second in Ligue 1 last season and therefore qualified directly for the Champions League.

But as early as May, the Argentinian had sent a very clear message to his leaders as to his demands on the transfer window.

"Do we want the Champions League for the money or to be competitive in it? This is the most important thing for the president, the owner and the coach to know: to know why we gives this goal," he said.

Jorge Sampaoli with OM during the reception of Strasbourg at the Stade Vélodrome, May 21, 2022 Sylvain THOMAS AFP / Archives

"You have to know if there is the possibility of creating a Champions League team. Because playing the Champions League means playing against big teams. Coming to play a few matches and not really being part of the competition , it seems illogical to me", added Sampaoli, reputed to be very demanding in terms of recruitment.

For the moment, OM have only recruited two central defenders, Samuel Gigot and the young Isaak Touré.

The club also lost two indisputable starters, William Saliba, who returned to Arsenal, and Boubacar Kamara, who left for Aston Villa.

"A passion"

Sampaoli was present when training resumed on Wednesday but the separation was recorded at the start of the week, even if Longoria and the Argentinian technician spoke to each other again this Friday.

"It's really an amicable separation. There is an understanding on each side that it is not possible to continue like this," the same source told AFP.

Still unstable, OM therefore find themselves again without a coach and in uncertainty just over a month from the resumption of the championship (August 7), even if Sampaoli leaves earlier than one of his mentors Marcelo Bielsa, who had resigned from OM to everyone's surprise after the first day of the championship in 2015.

Argentinian coach Jorge Sampaoli with OM during the Angers reception at the Vélodrome stadium, February 4, 2022 Nicolas TUCAT AFP / Archives

Of the passage of Sampaoli, will remain above all the madness of the Stade Vélodrome during the last day of last season, when the victory of OM against Strasbourg and a goal of Lens against Monaco at the last second, propelled the OM in the Champions League.

"OM is a passion. Every time I entered the Vélodrome, my heart was pounding," wrote the Argentinian.

Longoria, who had chosen Sampaoli, must now find his successor.

This could be known "quickly, in the coming days", according to the same source.

The name of the Italian Roberto De Zerbi circulates.

© 2022 AFP