The current French national team manager Didier Deschamps made his name with the French club Olympique Marseille before taking on the role as the national team manager. During his time at the French club, Deschamps once again managed to transform the fortunes of the club by helping them in the league title. He stayed at the club for two years before becoming the national team manager. After the exit of Deschamps, the club had to sell a number of players like Cesar Azpilicueta and Alou Diarra in order to compensate for the financial troubles. Despite this, the club is once again challenging for the title this season under the management of Baup.

The club president Vincent Labrune has said that he has nothing but respect for the former manager. Even though Deschamps had a lot of issues with the sporting director Jose Anigo during his time at the club, the period was one of the most successful because it ended with the league title a few years ago. The club are also challenging for the title this time around and they are just below the leaders Paris St Germain and Lyon on goal difference. Labrune has said that the exit of Deschamps was completely his decision and he respects it a lot.

“I am a pragmatic and I’m a fan of football. Didier is someone who gained a lot in French football. He allowed us to regain titles. I will not forget, and I will never discredit him for that. I have respect for him for what he did at OM in an environment which was not easy, because it is a big club. Returning to Didier, it was he who wished to leave. He was there for three years. It was his decision, I respected it,” said the club president Vincent Labrune.