The France legend grew up in the city and is overjoyed that the Argentine coach has his hometown club back challenging for the Ligue 1 title
Zinedine Zidane has admitted that he is delighted with the work that Marcelo Bielsa is doing at Olympique de Marseille.
The Real Madrid Castilla coach has a well-known affection for OM after growing up in the city and visited the club’s training ground at La Commanderie on Thursday.
Zidane was immensely impressed by Bielsa, who has led the Stade Velodrome outfit to the summit of Ligue 1, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain with just one game to be played before the winter recess.
“The arrival of Marcelo Bielsa has changed the structure of the club. He has arrived with his own methods of working,” the World Cup winner told OM’s official website.
“This has been a revival and it’s been great for the club. He’s brought results and it is on these that I will judge him overall.
“As a fan of Marseille, I’m delighted to see this.”
Zidane also spoke about the warm reception the Argentine coach gave him.
“It’s the first time I’ve met him, and he was happy to see us,” the 42-year-old said.
“He loves his players and players who have made a mark on the history of football. He told us to be passionate and remain ourselves.
Zidane, meanwhile, reaffirmed that it was an unrealised dream to play for his hometown side.
“I never played here. It was always my desire, but it was never achieved.”
Regardless of PSG’s result at home against Montpellier on Saturday, Marseille will earn the unofficial title of winter champions in France if they defeat Lille at Stade Velodrome on Sunday.