Former Sevilla and Olympiakos coach Michel has been appointed to succeed Marcelo Bielsa as Marseille boss.
Michel, 52, was reportedly contacted on Monday with OM president Vincent Labrune enthused by the ex-Spain international's attacking philosophy, which follows similar lines to those of Bielsa.
The former Real Madrid midfielder had been without a club since leaving Olympiakos in January, but has now taken over at Marseille.
C'est officiel, José Miguel Gonzalez del Campo est l'entraîneur de l'OM. http://t.co/sHkwfatUEP #BienvenidoMichel pic.twitter.com/gF7kQwAJya
- Olympique Marseille (@OM_Officiel) August 19, 2015
Michel has previously coached Rayo Vallecano, Madrid's Castilla side, Getafe and Sevilla, before moving to Greece in 2013 where he contributed to the Piraeus club winning three successive league titles.
He took to Twitter after the deal was announced, stating: "Very happy to start my new step."
Feliz por comenzar mi nueva etapa en el @OM_Officiel. // Très heureux de commencer ma nouvelle étape. #TeamOM pic.twitter.com/Q4LGMsC72u
- Míchel (@MichelFootball) August 19, 2015
After just over a year in the Marseille job, Bielsa quit following the club's home defeat to Caen in their opening Ligue 1 game of the season on Aug. 8.
Bielsa claimed the club had wanted to change details of the contract extension he had already agreed with them in principle. OM, however, countered by saying that the former Argentina and Chile boss, who is tipped to take over as coach of Mexico, had put his own interests above those of the club.