Marseille replace Longoria as club president

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Marseille revealed on Saturday that president Pablo Longoria has left the crisis-hit Ligue 1 club, just over two weeks after the departure of coach Roberto De Zerbi.

A source familiar with the recent discussions told AFP that Longoria, 39, resigned from his position after Marseille's American owner Frank McCourt announced a reshuffle of club management last week.

Sporting director Medhi Benatia had planned to quit as well earlier this month, but the former Morocco defender later agreed to stay until the end of the season.

Longoria will be replaced by 36-year-old Alban Juster, who takes over on an interim basis as president of the management board.

Marseille appointed their former captain Habib Beye as coach on February 18 after De Zerbi left in the wake of a 5-0 hammering by bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain.

OM are fourth in Ligue 1 and face third-placed Lyon on Sunday in a battle for France's last automatic Champions League qualifying berth.