If he gives no indication of his future destination, Erik Gerets, in an exclusive interview with OM.net and OMtv, confirms that he will not be the coach of Olympique de Marseille next season.

Your departure was evoked in the Press on Tuesday. Can you confirm this information?
Yes. I made my mind up a little while ago. But with the importance of the team’s situation at the moment, with the matches that we have coming up, I wanted to wait until at least next week before announcing my intentions and calming everyone down. After all, we have a very important match coming up next week, but with the article that came out I had to react as of today. So, what I have said will be in the papers, on television and on the radio as of Wednesday and we will be in the calm because of that. The players, just like myself, will be able to concentrate 100% on what is important: trying to be champions of France at the end of the season.

Do you have any regrets?
Certainly there are regrets, but there are also satisfactions. I have taken great satisfaction from the play of the 22/24 players in the squad. Up until now they have put in an exceptional season, and that is something that will remain in my mind. On top of it all, I have never experienced anything comparable to here. I didn’t think it was possible after my time in Istanbul, where I was very happy. When I left Turkey, I said to myself that I was leaving with a little box full of emotions that I would be able to call upon when I was alone or didn’t feel good. Now, that little box will not be big enough to hold everything that I have been through in Marseille. The feelings, the excitement that I have been given, are just impossible to explain. It’s so fantastic that I don’t want to waste this atmosphere. It has been so positive, I will certainly not forget it.

It certainly won’t disturb the players

Are you worried at all that your announcement will affect the players, now that we’re at the end of the season?
No. Certain people had deduced that I would be leaving as I hadn’t signed a new contract, the players felt the same way. I let a few of them know my intentions. Did you see their behaviour against Lille? I let them all know this afternoon and I cannot say that they were shocked. They understand that a managers position is quite special, one day you can be in one place and the next somewhere else.
We are going through fantastic experiences together. Everyone has understood that we will continue in the same manner, with the same atmosphere within the squad. It certainly won’t disturb the players.

What kind of reaction do you think you will get on Saturday against Toulouse?
I hope that the supporters will be behind my team and that they will continue to appreciate the performances of the players. That’s the most important. If they do not forgive me, then I will be sad, but I will have to deal with it. That won’t stop me keeping in my heart the warmth that the people here have shown me, and that for the rest of my life.

We can sense a lot of emotion in your voice when you speak about the club, of these players and the Marseille public …
Maybe too much.