Grégory Lorenzi chosen by Marseille to lead rebuild as Nice move stalls | OneFootball

Marseille have chosen Stade Brestois sporting director Grégory Lorenzi to lead a leaner rebuild, with legal details still to settle and an announcement aimed within a week, according to L'Équipe.

The overhaul continues amid uncertainty over next season, with OM still between the Europa League and, pending the Coupe de France, the Europa Conference League. New president Stéphane Richard, unveiled on 10 April, starts on two July and attended Sunday's 1-0 win at Le Havre.

Speed is needed as Medhi Benatia, after his aborted winter resignation, will leave the day after the league ends. The summer window will be a major rebuild in both directions, and a head coach, preferably French, must also be hired.

The new hierarchy inherit more a field of ruins than a grand club. Excel Sports Management's Europe-wide search fixed on Lorenzi, appointed at Brest in 2016 by Denis Le Saint. The 42-year-old helped lift the club from Ligue 2 to the 2025 Champions League play-offs, and pondered leaving after the improbable 2024 third place.

He thrived with broad autonomy and tight resources, a profile that suits OM's looming austerity. His deals created value, notably Romain Faivre, bought for 400,000 euros from Monaco and sold to Lyon for 15 million euros.

Marseille can be a volcano compared with Brest, yet Lorenzi indicated he is unafraid and was drawn to a historic club. He edged towards OM while Nice lined him up to replace Florian Maurice, but that depended on Nice staying up, which remains unconfirmed as OM closed in. Marseille value his Ligue 1 know-how, he will arrive with his scout brother Yannick, and his deal will be richer, with heavier pressure.

Source: L'Équipe