French legend Zinedine Zidane could make a sensational return to his native Marseille after reports surfaced linking the Real Madrid Castilla manager with the Stade Velodrome vacancy.
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Zidane Named on Marseille Shortlist
Monday, August 10
Following Marcelo Bielsa's shock resignation from the Marseille helm on Aug. 8, former France international Zidane has emerged as a top candidate to take his place, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
The report references a poll conducted among readers of French newspaper L'Equipe regarding whom Marseille should appoint as their manager, where Zidane finished in third behind Jurgen Klopp and Eric Gerets.
Ex-Real Madrid superstar Zidane never represented his hometown club despite being born in the suburb of La Castellane, and AS writes he "has often commented on his regret for never having played for OM."
Bielsa stepped down minutes after the club's opening-day defeat to Caen on Saturday, leading Marseille to release a statement condemning the decision, per Goal.com's Mark Doyle:
The leadership of Olympique de Marseille has done everything to offer the club the services of a coach up to the responsibility. But OM can in no way be a prisoner to someone who places his personal interests well above those of the club.
Olympique de Marseille are powered by unique values and have a rich enough history to refuse to bow to the will of one man. Margarita Louis-Dreyfus and the club management will take all the necessary measures in the coming days to allow OM to experience a season up to its expectations.
Les Olympiens will assuredly be hoping to appoint a successor as swiftly as possible in the hope they can get their Ligue 1 campaign back on track.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson described it as a "coup" for Marseille if they land former Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp, but he doesn't see that pursuit bearing any fruit:
Zidane remained in Marseille until the age of 14 when he was first scouted by Cannes, one of the two Ligue outfits he would go on to represent, along with Bordeaux.
The 43-year-old has worked under respected tacticians Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez since joining the Bernabeu coaching staff, but Marseille may offer a homecoming too appetising to ignore.
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Source: Tom Sunderland http://ift.tt/1DCfdyo
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