Baup succeeds Deschamps as Marseille coach

Elie Baup

MARSEILLE, France   ●    Elie Baup was named Wednesday as Didier Deschamps’ replacement as the new coach of Marseille.

Baup was unveiled as the French giant’s new manager 48 hours after Deschamps quit the Velodrome club having led them to the 2010 title with two years left on his contract.

In a statement on their website Marseille confirmed ex-Bordeaux boss Baup’s appointment.

“Elie Baup is appointed coach of Olympique Marseille for two seasons,” the statement read.

“Elie Baup will link up with the players at Crans-Montana where they have been on a training camp since Wednesday. He will be presented to the media on Thursday afternoon.”

The 57-year-old Baup managed Bordeaux between 1998 and 2003, guiding them to the league title in 1999.

He then had spells with Toulouse and Nantes, and has been out of contract since being sacked by Nantes in 2009.

Deschamps, who experienced a difficult time last season with the team finishing only 10th, is favourite to take over from Laurent Blanc as coach of France.

●  Borussia Moenchengladbach coach Lucian Favre has ended speculation linking him with a move away from the club by extending his contract.

The Bundesliga club announced in a statement on Wednesday that the 54-year-old Favre has agreed on a deal to stay to June 2015.

“I was in talks with club management for a long time and am very happy now with the contract extension and the challenging tasks ahead,” Favre said.

The Swiss coach achieved a remarkable turnaround in Moenchengladbach’s fortunes since taking over in February 2011.

The club was last in the Bundesliga, seven points from safety with the league’s worst defensive record by far, but secured survival through a playoff.

Favre then led Moenchengladbach to a Champions League qualification spot last season.

“Favre is exactly the right coach for Borussia and we’re delighted that we’ll continue on the path we’ve taken with him,” Moenchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl said.

●  Bolivia coach Gustavo Quinteros resigned on Tuesday following his club’s poor play in World Cup qualifying.

Bolivia has struggled in qualifying with only four points in six matches and plays its next game in September against Ecuador.

Carlos Chaves, president of the Bolivian football federation, did not mention a successor in accepting Quinteros’ resignation, but local reports suggest Spanish coach Xavier Azkargorta is a top candidate.