Jorge Sampaoli held his first press conference as OM coach.

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Christophe SIMON / AFP

An egg skull, arms as big as our thighs and tattoos everywhere, this time we are there, Jorge Sampaoli is in the place.

Much awaited Tuesday for his first press conference as the new coach of Olympique de Marseille, the Chilean has made a vast inventory that awaits him this season on the Cannebière. 

“I chose OM for the culture of the city, this popular identification with the way I experience emotions.

I felt an immense joy to participate in this project ", he began by explaining before defining his vision of football:" Our philosophy calls for turning towards the opposing goal rather than towards our own.

On paper, it's sexy.

But will he quickly manage to imprint a style of play on a team marked with the seal of depression, and just humiliated by fans of Canet-en-Roussillon (N2) this weekend? 

Sampaoli, not there to "imitate" Bielsa

"It is my wish, yes," he replied.

In the short term, already, we must put in place a philosophy of play. Beyond the crisis, we must return to the fundamentals, the desire, the pace.

Every player should feel the chance to wear this jersey.

We have already proposed tools to get this team out of this difficult period.

"" I have to convince the group that it has to be competitive in all areas by getting involved.

We are going to make sure that the players adhere to this philosophy, some will adapt quickly, others more slowly, some not at all.

The role of the staff is to seduce the group and restore the club's image, ”continued the former Sevilla FC coach (2016-2017). 

Necessarily questioned about the former Olympian coach Marcelo Bielsa, of whom he claims to be a kind of disciple, Sampaoli wanted to make things clear: “For many coaches, Marcelo Bielsa is a reference and for me in particular.

I have followed each of his teams and I feel ideologically close to him in the game. But I do not intend to try to imitate him.

"His ultimate goal being above all" that the players feel what the supporters feel for this jersey.

“On paper, it's sexy, it remains to be seen if the message will get through to the group.

First element of response from Wednesday, on the occasion of the trip to Roazhon Park in Rennes for the late match of the 22nd day. 

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