Olympique Marseille have agreed to keep their current coach Didier Deschamps despite finishing the season second, behind new champions Lille. The 42-year-old French manager, who has joined Olympique back in 2009 and who has also signed a new extension to the original contract which runs through the 2012 season, is to spend at least one more year with Marseille, side he helped to win two League Cups, one Ligue 1 trophy and a Trophee des Champions. The team finished the term eight points adrift Lille due to poor previous results which hindered them of defending the title.
Foto Source: live4liverpool.com
Deschamps, who played four years on Velodrome, looked delighted to have been given the opportunity to continue his work in Marseille, his main aim being now the superior phases within the UEFA Champions League, competition they left early this season. Eventual finalists Manchester United ousted them thanks to a precious win on Old Trafford. The French finished the group stage second, just behind Chelsea, but are expected to set new heights next term. “I have been telling you this for a month! I knew he would respect his contract. It is believed the grass is always greener elsewhere, but he is very happy at Marseille. We have been focused on next season for a long time,” said Olympique Marseille president Jean Claude Dassie.
Olympique succeeded to come to an agreement with Deschamps whom Liverpool wanted on Anfield. Fortunately, the 2010 Ligue 1 champions will keep the former Champions League winner in Marseille. Deschamps Ligue 1 experience includes at the same time another French Cup won with Monaco back in 2003 year which brought him a second palce in the league. On year later, he managed to lead the now-relegated Monaco through the UCL final they failed to win, though. Finally, Deschamps promoted Juventus back in Serie A in 2007 after they had been relegated for match-fixing.
On Monday, Bordeaux signed a two-year deal with Francis Gillot who is to take over Eric Bedouet who failed to shine this term. Bordeaux finished the season seventh with 51 points won in 38 games, nine behind PSG who are the last side to have grabbed an European competition spot. Girondins lost the last but one league game 0-2 against Toulouse and beat PSG 1-0 in the previous round. The 2009 champions finished the season with a 2-0 win over Montpellier.
Gillot left Sochaux to set new heights, leaving his former side fifth in the standings, just two points behind PSG. The 51-year-old manager had previously coached Lens whom they left in 2007. Unfortunately, he hasn’t won any honor with the former clubs but has plenty of chances to do so. Said Jean Louis Triaud, Girondins president: “We chose him for his coaching qualities, his talent and his sense of humanity.
