Gennaro Gattuso, a former star for Rangers, has been appointed manager of Marseille, a traditional Champions League rival after a fan uprising pushed their previous manager out.
It will be difficult for the fiery Italian World Cup champion, 45, to return the French giants to their old glory when he takes charge of a Ligue 1 team for the first time.
Brazilian coach Marcelino submitted his resignation amidst fan protests after his team lost all six of their initial Ligue 1 games and failed to advance past the qualifying round for the Champions League.
The French team also spent a lot of money on players this summer, shelling almost €70 million (£60 million) on a number of high-profile players.
They include people like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Renan Lodi, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Geoffrey Kondogbia, and Iliman Ndiaye.
Gennaro Gattuso says he’s “very happy” to accept the Marseille post.
Gennaro Gattuso continues to land top roles despite being fired from La Liga team Valencia seven months prior; the Marseille position has recently felt like a poisoned chalice.
However, the Italian asserts that he is “proud” to be a member of the traditional French side.
“I’m excited to start working with my new team and tackling the challenges that lie ahead of us.”
The former manager of AC Milan and Napoli is clearly excited about the chance to lead a team that controversially beat Rangers to the Champions League Final in 1993.
Although match-fixing has never been proven on the continent, Marseille had their Ligue 1 title removed in the first tournament under the new name because of it.
Gennaro Gattuso expressed his joy and pride upon joining Olympique de Marseille.
“I had the chance to play in the Orange Velodrome, a club and a venue renowned throughout Europe for the fire and emotion it exudes.
“I’m excited to start working with my new team and tackling the challenges that lie ahead of us.”
The former manager of AC Milan and Napoli is clearly excited about the chance to lead a team that controversially beat Rangers to the Champions League Final in 1993.
Although match-fixing has never been proven on the continent, Marseille had their Ligue 1 title removed in the first tournament under the new name because of it.
Rangers supporters are incensed by the inexplicable 6-0 thrashing of CSKA Moscow because they have long desired to exact revenge on the team on a continental level.
The eventual Ibrox hero Basile Boli scored the game-winning goal as Marseille defeated AC Milan in Munich to win the championship, finishing one point ahead of Rangers in the group.
