Former Olympique Marseille striker Tony Cascarino is sorry Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa barely lasted a year at the club.
The Leeds manager infamously led Marseille to a fourth place finish in his first season before resigning after losing the opening game of the 2015/16 campaign. The Argentine declared he was quitting due to conflicts with the board.
For Cascarino, Marseille haven't had a coach who has upheld the playing traditions of the club since - including current manager Andre Villas-Boas. Indeed, Cascarino feels Bielsa's football represents the best of OM's traditions.
He told La Provence via Le 10 Sport: "I saw the best moments of OM - Manchester City. We know that City are playing at a totally different level from OM, but I find it hard to see the Marseille team play, because I only identify them with a certain style of play: courageous.
"I hate that too many coaches play tactical football, learned from textbooks. For me, OM is summed up in its motto 'Right to the goal' and should always comply with it, without showing too much respect to anyone in France, including PSG.
"Yes, they have all the money, the best players, but OM have lacked this state of mind for two decades.
"You could say that I am nostalgic for the OM of Papin, Waddle, Pelé, but for me, the best French club is OM. It always comes down to money, but you need a manager who drives something else, like Bielsa. I'd rather eat only five months rather than nothing at all."
Former Republic of Ireland centre-forward Cascarino, now 58, had three successful years playing for Marseille in France. He won the Ligue 2 title and from 84 appearances with OM, struck an impressive 61 goals.
He would also spend three years with Nancy, where he managed to become the oldest player to score a hat-trick in Ligue 1. At 37 years of age, Cascarino's record still stands today.
- updated November 18
