French Ligue 1 side, Olympique de Marseille, has officially appointed Gennaro Gattuso as their new head coach.
President Pablo Longoria has strategically selected Gattuso, the former coach of AC Milan, Napoli and Valencia, to step into the role previously occupied by Spaniard Marcelino.
Marcelino resigned from his position last week. The past week has been filled with high drama for Olympique de Marseille, culminating in a disheartening 4-0 defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals, Paris Saint-Germain, on Sunday night.
Sensing the pressing need for change, President Longoria promptly initiated the process of bringing in Gattuso.
Interestingly, Gattuso had come close to securing the Lyon coaching position, which ultimately went to his fellow countryman Fabio Gross.
Gattuso has inked a contract that will keep him at the helm until the end of the season. If Olympique de Marseille manages to secure a place in the top four and the coveted Champions League spots by the end of the season, an extension of one more season will be automatically triggered.
“I’m very happy and proud to be joining Olympique de Marseille,” the 45-year-old coach told the club’s website.
“It’s a club and a stadium, the Orange Velodrome, where I had the opportunity to play as a player, and which is famous throughout Europe for the passion and fervour it exudes.
“I can’t wait to get to work with my new squad and take on the challenges that lie ahead.”
Gattuso’s first challenge at the helm of the southern giants comes in the form of early-season pace-setters Monaco, whom OM take on in their Ligue 1 Round 7 clash at the Stade Louis II on Saturday night.