Marseille dismissed coach Elie Baup on Saturday and replaced him with sporting director Jose Anigo until the winter break.
Marseille announced the news on its website after losing 1-0 to Nantes in the French league the day before, when angry fans called for Baup's resignation.
''He didn't get the results we expected,'' Marseille president Vincent Labrune told the club's website. ''A psychological shock must happen so that we can fulfill our ambitions. The team is not showing the desire and quality that we can expect.''
Marseille finished second in the league under Baup last season. But the 2010 champion has struggled this term. Marseille is currently fifth in the league, eight points behind third-place Monaco which has a game in hand.
Marseille has also performed poorly in the Champions League, with no points from five matches in the group stage.
Anigo led Marseille to a runner-up finish in the 2004 UEFA Cup.
