Baup appointed Marseille manager

Baup appointed Marseille manager

Published Jul. 5, 2012 1:23 p.m. ET

Marseille have moved quickly to appoint Elie Baup as their new manager.

Baup has signed a two-year deal to replace Didier Deschamps who left by mutual agreement on Monday.

Baup, who led Bordeaux to the French title in 1999, returns to Ligue 1 management for the first time since he left Nantes three years ago.

"Elie Baup has been named as coach of Olympique Marseille," a statement on the club's official website read.

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"He will lead the first team of Olympique for two seasons."

Baup's arrival at the Stade Velodrome comes amid speculation the club were set to turn to Laurent Blanc, after he opted not to renew his contract following Les Bleus' Euro 2012 quarter-final exit.

With Deschamps apparently set to step into the national team role it had been thought Blanc would in turn replace his former World Cup-winning team-mate at OM.

Baup, 57, has, however, instead been entrusted with reviving the club despite spending the past couple of seasons as a TV pundit.

Aside from his successful stint at Bordeaux, Baup has also managed St Etienne and Toulouse before his last stint at Nantes, which lasted a single year.

Baup, famed for wearing a cap on the touchline, inherits an OM side that finished 10th last season - at one point enduring a 14-match winless run - although another successful cup defence saw them qualify for the Europa League.

A statement from OM on Monday revealed that Deschamps' future had already been decided last month, to further heighten rumours he is set to become France boss after three years on the south coast.

"Didier Deschamps was received on May 23 by club officials to prepare for the 2012-2013 season," the statement read.

"Didier Deschamps stated his desire to leave OM and the terms of his departure were considered.

"In the days that followed, Mr Didier Deschamps repeatedly confirmed that he was and remained the coach of OM.

"Olympique de Marseille and Didier Deschamps have finally decided by mutual agreement not to continue working for the 2012-2013 season.

"Olympique de Marseille thank Didier Deschamps for his work for the team for three years and wish him good luck for the future.

"Didier Deschamps thanks Olympique de Marseille for their support throughout these last three seasons."

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