By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@AFPPhoto.
Marseille confirmed the departure of Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso after a six-match winless run in Ligue 1, ending the former World Cup winner’s five-month spell at the club.
“Olympique Marseille announces the end of its collaboration with Gennaro Gattuso,” the club wrote in a brief statement.
“Marseille would like to thank Gennaro and all of his staff for their flawless investment in the team and professionalism they showed on a daily basis, and wish them well for the future.”
The decision comes two days after Marseille lost 1-0 to 10-man Brest in the league, a result that dented the club’s hopes of qualifying for a European competition next season.
“We’ve hit rock bottom,” Gattuso told a post-match news conference after Sunday’s defeat. “When you hit rock bottom, you have to take responsibility. It’s my responsibility. There is nothing else to say. The table? The truth is that we’re going to have to start looking behind us. We can no longer speak about Europe. We just need to take the necessary points to be calm in the standings.”
He is expected to be replaced by Jean-Louis Gasset, the Frenchman who was sacked as Ivory Coast coach during this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Marseille are ninth in the standings after 22 matches, trailing leaders PSG by 23 points.