José Anigo Set for New Role with Marseille Amid Departure from Current Post
Former Olympique de Marseille technical director José Anigo is poised to step down from his current duties at the club but will maintain ties with the Ligue 1 side in a newly defined role, according to reports in France.
The veteran football executive, who has been closely associated with Marseille for much of his career, is expected to transition into a position as a scout and ambassador for the club, focusing primarily on talent identification across North Africa. This development follows months of speculation surrounding Anigo’s future, amid growing signs of dissatisfaction with the club’s internal direction and a desire for personal change.
French broadcaster RTL has reported that Anigo will be based in Marrakech, Morocco — a city where he already owns a residence — as he begins his new chapter in football scouting. His role will focus on monitoring and uncovering promising players across the North African region, an area historically rich in footballing talent and one that has produced several stars who have gone on to thrive in European football.
Anigo’s new position is seen as a strategic move by Marseille to retain the expertise of a figure who has both deep knowledge of the club and a strong network in the football world. Despite stepping back from a more active technical or managerial capacity, his work will still be instrumental in shaping the club’s recruitment policies in the future.
The 63-year-old’s relationship with Marseille spans several decades. He has served the club in multiple capacities — as a player, coach, and most notably as a technical director — and was briefly manager of the senior team. Under his guidance, the club secured significant domestic success and developed a reputation for nurturing young players.
However, recent seasons have proven turbulent for both Anigo and Marseille, marked by internal challenges and inconsistent performances on the pitch. Anigo had reportedly grown frustrated with the constraints of his role and had expressed a desire to take a step back from day-to-day responsibilities.
This new scouting and ambassadorial role offers a compromise: allowing him to remain within the OM structure while also providing the space and flexibility he has been seeking. The move to Marrakech is expected to be permanent, indicating that Anigo is preparing for a long-term engagement in the region.
Olympique de Marseille has not yet issued an official statement regarding Anigo’s transition, but insiders suggest the arrangement is part of a broader strategic shift within the club as it seeks to expand its scouting operations and strengthen its presence in international markets.
Anigo’s deep-rooted ties to both the club and the region make him a natural choice for this position. His knowledge of North African football, combined with his loyalty to Marseille, is expected to be a valuable asset as the club looks to compete at the highest level both domestically and in European competitions.
