Marseille Suspend Head Coach Michel: Latest Details and Reaction

Marseille have confirmed the suspension of manager Michel on Tuesday ahead of their Coupe de France semi-final with Sochaux this week. 

The club announced as much on their official Twitter feed and football writer Robin Bairner summarised the announcement:

Writer Philippe Auclair revealed further details:

The Coupe de France has been one of the few highlights of Marseille's disappointing season with the club struggling in 15th in Ligue 1.

According to Bleacher Report UK's Jonathan Johnson, Franck Passi will be assisted by Basile Boli, who won the UEFA Champions League with l'OM in 1993. Bairner believes the club legend's name initially being spelt incorrectly in the statement is indicative of Marseille's season:

BT Sport's Julien Laurens gave some context to his suspension with the club just six points above the relegation zone with four matches to go:

Indeed, after Troyes—who have won just three matches this season—Marseille have won the fewest games in the division with just eight victories to their name.

Ligue 1 writer Mohammed Ali believes Michel's dismissal is long overdue with the team seriously under-performing:

He also gave his take on the careful wording in the brief statement:

Michel's reputation has likely taken a serious hit after his torrid time in France, having seriously under-achieved and failed to live up to expectations after he won three Greek Superleague titles in a successful spell with Olympiakos.

As for the club, on paper they should have little trouble reaching the Coupe de France final with Sochaux struggling a division below them in Ligue 2. However, with their recent form and the match taking place at the Stade Auguste Bonal even that is hardly a given.

Survival will be the priority for Passi, though, and he will oversee matches against mid-table sides Nantes and Angers, followed by relegation rivals Stade Reims and the already-condemned Troyes.