José Anigo Steps Down from Role as Sporting Director at Olympique Marseille
Marseille, France – After over two decades with Olympique Marseille (OM), José Anigo is stepping down from his position as sporting director. The club announced the change following a decision made by club president Vincent Labrune, who revealed that Anigo would take on a new, more specialized role focused on recruitment across Africa and Western Europe.
In his new capacity, Anigo will be tasked with identifying future talent in regions such as Africa, as well as Spain and Portugal. The club’s shift away from the traditional sporting director model means there will be no direct replacement for Anigo in his former role. Instead, the club will implement a more decentralized structure, with a coach wielding greater influence and expanded powers. Additionally, a team of three coordinators will manage various aspects of the club’s operations, including recruitment, relations with the training sector, and administrative duties.
Addressing his departure, José Anigo explained that his decision was not based on sporting reasons. “I’m not leaving the club for sporting reasons, even though I know my face can’t please everyone,” he said. “But there’s a threshold that shouldn’t be crossed. I spent 25 years at this club, and I thought I deserved a little more respect. What happened is unspeakable for me. I’m not leaving OM bitter.”
Despite the challenging circumstances, Anigo remains optimistic about the future, with reports indicating that he plans to relocate with his family to Marrakech, where he is expected to embark on a new chapter in his career. His long-standing association with Marseille and the club’s future direction will be remembered as he moves on to the next phase of his professional journey.
