Marseille bidder cool on Eriksson

By Chris Bevan

Eriksson attended Marseille's Dubai Cup game against Lazio

Prospective Marseille owner Jack Kachkar admits speaking to former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson - but has backed current boss Albert Emon.

There has been speculation Kachkar, 43, wants Eriksson to replace Emon when he seals a £70m deal for the French club.

Kachkar told BBC Sport: "We have had some conversations. Right now I have no formal agreement with him or any plans to bring Mr Eriksson in at this point.

"From my perspective I am not going to make changes just for the sake of it."

The Canadian businessman has moved a step closer to buying Marseille after providing financial guarantees to current owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus.

Kachkar, who owns property in the nearby town of Puyricard, added: "I have spoken to many people in the industry about football and Mr Eriksson was one of them.

"He has had tremendous success at club level - but a number of other coaches have also.

"Right now, from my heart of hearts, Albert Emon is the coach and we're going to work with him and support him and give him the tools he needs to try to move up in the standings - we know we have some work to do."

Marseille lie third in the French League, 17 points behind leaders Lyon, and Kachkar says his immediate focus is domestic success and qualifying for next season's Champions League

Kachkar says it was Marseille's history of success that made him interested in buying the club in the first place.

He explained: "I looked at a number of English clubs but Marseille are recognised as one of the greatest clubs in the world and for them to be available was an opportunity I couldn't miss out on.

"Why is a Canadian interested in Marseille? For me it is all about passion - I am a big football fan and I used to play when I was young.

"Over the years I have grown to love the sport more and more, and when I went to the World Cup last year I could not believe how big football had become.

"Growing up with that passion and my understanding of the sport, when an opportunity like Marseille came by - with a great brand, a great tradition and great fans - it just made it the right combination for me.

"The wonderful thing about Marseille is its rich history, its great name. We believe that will help provide the momentum we need to create a successful club and we want to capitalise on that."