Marseille’s Head of Football, Pablo Longoria, has said the Ligue 1 club wants Portuguese tactician André Villas-Boas to extend his contract.

The current deal of the former Chelsea and Tottenham’s manager expires next summer.

Speaking to La Provence, he expressed delight at what he has done so far at the ad club, adding that he is the only person the club see that continue with their project.

Marseille currently occupies the fifth spot on the Ligue 1 table with 28 points and two outstanding games.  They adrift Lille that is topping the log with 36 point.

While also describing him as the highest level coach, Longoria said he is a good coach for its future.

Talks have begun between the manager’s agent and the club on a possible extension. AVB seems to be settled at the club, and he is in no rush to take another job, where he will have to start rebuilding all over again.

The club has shown the intention of keeping him by going to Portugal and meet with his agent, who also traveled down to France.

Marseille might have been out of the Champions League, but its priority is to keep the man that has brought stability to the team.

In another development, the future of Florian Thauvin at the club remains a doubt. Longoria couldn’t give the club’s fans much confidence that they will be able renew his contract, which expires in June.

While noting that it’s difficult to extend contract amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spaniard said all players await how the market will shape out as no one knows how next season will look.

Since the resumption of actions after the covid break, football clubs have been managing their resources as there is currently no revenue from fans’ attendance.

Therefore their finances have been affected, and they are unsure when fans will be allowed into the stands. Europe is currently battling the second wave of the coronavirus.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed