Marseille appoint Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager with Italian set to be in charge for Europa League clash against Brighton after replacing Marcelino in charge of the Ligue 1 giants

Olympique Marseille have appointed Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager, with the former tough-tackling midfielder moving to Ligue 1 after coaching in Serie A and LaLiga.

The 45-year-old Italian replaces Spanish coach Marcelino, who stood dow last week just a handful of games into his stewardship amid tensions between management and supporters.

Marseille announced Gattuso’s arrival on its website without giving further details.

‘I’m looking forward to getting to work with my new team and taking on the upcoming challenges that await us,’ he said.

‘It’s a club and a stadium celebrated throughout Europe for the passion and fervour it exudes.’

The Italian hasn’t managed since he was sacked by Valencia in January 

Gattuso previously coached Pisa, Milan, Napoli and most recently Spanish club Valencia, where he was sacked in January after just seven months in charge.

The Italian takes charge following Marseille’s 4-0 defeat in the French league at defending champion Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, a result which dropped Marseille down to eighth place.

As a player, Gattuso won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, along with two Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues with AC Milan, where he played 468 games and scored 11 goals. 

His only goal in 73 appearances for Italy was a fierce 25-meter strike against England in a 1-0 win in November 2000.

His first game in charge of 1993 Champions League winner Marseille is set to be away to Monaco on Saturday, before his team takes on Brighton in the Europa League on Thursday.

He joins other Italian coaches making their debut seasons in the French league: World Cup-winning teammate Fabio Grosso at Lyon and Francesco Farioli at Nice.