Marseille manager Didier Deschamps has scoffed at suggestions he is planning to leave the French club at the end of the season.
Deschamps steered Marseille to their first Ligue 1 title in 18 years last season – his first in charge – and the club are within touching distance of repeating as champions as the 2010-11 campaign draws to a close.
Marseille are second on the table, four points behind leaders Lille with nine games left in the season, and have nothing but their domestic campaign to focus on after being eliminated from the Champions League by Chelsea.
It would seem all is well at the Stade Velodrome under Deschamps, but unrest in Serie A has prompted whispers the 42-year-old could be making a return to Italy.
His former club Juventus are believed to be ready to part ways with Luigi Delneri and could make Deschamps an attractive offer, while Roma are looking for a permanent replacement for caretaker boss Vincenzo Montella following Claudio Ranieri’s resignation.
But the former France international has laughed off the rumours of his impending exit, saying he is already making plans for Marseille’s 2011-12 campaign.
“I’ve already started planning for next year, because that’s my job,” Deschamps said.
“All this speculation about who will move where makes me laugh. Today, I’m 100 percent at Marseille, and will be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”
“There’s really no reason for these rumours. I’ll draw my own conclusions at the end of the season depending on our position.”
English Premier League teams Chelsea and Liverpool are also believed to be in the mix for Deschamps’ services, with Carlo Ancelotti rumoured to be returning to Italy and Kenny Dalglish no certainty to remain at Anfield either.
Mon 4 April, 2011
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