Marseille are moving closer to finalising the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa as their new coach for next season.
The Argentinian, who most recently managed Spanish side Athletic Bilbao and has led both Chile and his home country to World Cups, was linked with the upcoming vacancy last week and club president Vincent Labrune has announced that a deal has now been agreed "in principle".
Marseille have been under the caretaker management of sporting director Jose Anigo since parting company with Elie Baup in December and are languishing in sixth place in Ligue 1, five points adrift of the European places.
Anigo has no intention of taking the job on a long-term basis and has been involved in the search for a new full-time manager, which now appears to have settled on Bielsa.
"In spirit, we have an agreement with Marcelo Bielsa," Labrune told L'Equipe.
"We are in agreement on the sporting project. We have an agreement in principle which is now subject to the drafting of contracts.
"Without getting caught up in absolute euphoria, we are confident that the issue will be wrapped up. I can say we will have a very good coach for next season."
