Gennaro Gattuso has completed the remarkable feat of managing 9 different football teams in the space of 10 years. A flightiness akin to a certain Marcelo Bielsa. However, unlike Bielsa, Gattuso hasn’t accrued an esteemed reputation in the process of his many club changes. Could that be about to change?
Since taking over Marseille in late September, he has steadily made progress at the Ligue 1 side. He has an impressive 53% win record in all competitions. That tally includes wins that guided the French side up to 5th in the table and helped them make it out of a tough group in the Europa League.
He’s also managed to get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang firing. The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea striker left the Premier League with his tail between his legs. But has been revitalised under Gattuso. He’s nabbed 5 goals and 7 assists in Ligue 1 since Gattuso’s arrival, with a tour de force display against Lyon. (He was at a hand for every one of Marseille’s 3 goals in a resounding win.)
His side have also been defensively resolute too, conceding an average of just 1 goal per game during his tenure. Chancel Mbemba is away on AFCON duty and will be a big loss to Marseille. However, Bamo Meïté has come in to the team at CB at the ripe age of 18 years old and shown a combativeness and physicality. Those attributes may well endear him to a starting place from Gattuso, while Mbemba is absent.
Rounding off the pick of the bunch from Marseille’s prime performers throughout Gattuso’s time at the club is Jordan Veretout. He has a wand of right foot, that is reminiscent of West Ham’s James Ward Prowse. His contribution from set-pieces has been invaluable to Gattuso, this season.
All the signs of Gattuso’s Marseille team right now point to players singing of the same hymn sheet. There was a dip in form around November, but Gattuso has righted the ship back on its course. He has been critical of the players work-rate and desire during those difficult spells, but it seems to have galvanised them. The ability for a team to withstand the tempestuous attitude of Gattuso is the first hallmark to a suitable fit between him and a club.
What’s more there is a growing sense from football writers that Gattuso is growing something with this Marseille side, with Champions League qualification in eyeshot as a distinct possibility. While there’s optimism from the fans over the recent signing of Jean Onana. It appears Gattuso might just, at long last, be on to a winner.
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