Marseille coach Bielsa denies contact with Mexico

Marcelo Bielsa watched his Marseille side lose and then quit his post on Saturday.

The shocking decision for the 60 year old Argentine to leave Marseille after a season and a match comes in the wake of rife speculation linking him with the open Mexico national team job. With so many chances, we have to win. Diarra and [Abou] Diaby were initiatives taken by the president and I gave those choices my agreement.

The Argentine coach said, “I have finished my work here”.

“I thank all the supporters for always having been behind me…in the next few days we will finish things up”.

Bielsa announced his decision to quit in front of the media before telling his squad – bringing to an end a typically turbulent season at the helm of the Ligue 1 club.

Bielsa said he had agreed with chairman Vincent Labrune to sign the duo.

“I haven’t spoken with anyone at the Mexican Federation”, he said on Thursday.

Facing his former teammates, Germain, who joined Nice on loan this season, converted his first chance to put the home side ahead with a shot in the top corner.

As the season wore on, however, Marseille began to run out of steam – they won just two league games in February, March and April, including four straight defeats to complete that period – and would eventually miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification.

The Mexican press had speculated that Bielsa would be the replacement for Miguel Herrera, who was recently fired.