Marseille show coach the door

Olympique de Marseille on Tuesday dismissed coach Michel as they battle relegation from the French top flight and other turmoil within the club.

Following constant speculation surrounding the future of the Spaniard, Marseille said they had decided to dismiss Michel and cited his conduct, “in particular over the last three weeks.”

“Olympique de Marseille have suspended him with immediate effect,” added a club statement.

The former European champions, who are up for sale, added that Michel would be replaced until the end of the season by his assistant Franck Passi.

He will be helped by club legend Basile Boli, who has been working as an ambassador for the club and has now been named “sporting coordinator”.

Boli scored the winning goal for OM against AC Milan in the 1993 Champions League final, which remains the only triumph for a French club in Europe’s elite competition.

Passi and Boli’s first job will be to lead a demoralised side into Wednesday’s French Cup semi-final away to second-tier Sochaux.