French soccer legend Deschamps in Liverpool sights
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Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier has revealed Liverpool have contacted him about Didier Deschamps, but he has told them they have no chance of tempting the Ligue 1 winning coach away from Stade Velodrome.
Speculation has been rife over who will take charge at Anfield since Rafael Benitez left the club at the beginning of the month, with Kenny Dalglish and Roy Hodgson among the current frontrunners. However, Dassier claims Deschamps is the man Liverpool want.
"It's true, Liverpool's executive director, Christian Purslow, called me Thursday morning," the OM chief told L'Equipe.
"He speaks French very well, is very polite. I was expecting his call because I had heard of Liverpool's interest in Didier. He asked me if I would allow him to meet Didier and (agent) Jean-Pierre Bernes.
"I replied that I would never forbid anyone from meeting whoever.
"I also kindly indicated to him that there wasn't the slightest chance for him to pinch our coach. Even in his dreams."
Deschamps' contract runs out at the end of next season and he is yet to pen an extension. However, Dassier is confident of keeping the former Marseille midfielder.
He continued: "With Didier, we have a trusting relationship.
"I hope he will commit himself to us for another year. I'm not worried.
"It's true also that Didier is flattered to see a great European club interested in him."
The Press Association
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Originally posted by stellazio:
i support liverpool to get raymond domenech..
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Deschamps out of Reds role running
Didier Deschamps and Marseille have ruled the former Chelsea midfielder out of the running to become the next manager of Liverpool.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson had looked most likely to take over before Marseille's title-winning coach Deschamps emerged as a strong contender.
However, the World Cup winner has now rejected any chance of him joining Liverpool, revealing he is "in discussions" about a contract extension with the French club..
He explained, "I am happy at Marseille. I am not there for just one year. A coach must be there for the long haul, and that is my wish."
The French club's president has also dismissed the chances of Deschamps, who also led Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final, taking over at Anfield.
It was reported in L'Equipe that Liverpool chief executive Christian Purslow contacted Marseille and asked to speak to Deschamps - a request which was turned down by Jean-Claude Dassier.
Dassier claimed: "He asked me if I allowed him to meet Didier and Jean-Pierre Bernes (Deschamps' agent).
"I replied that I did not allow any meeting to take place. I have also indicated that there is no way we'll let go of our coach."
teamtalk.