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Michel has been relieved of his duties as manager of Marseille on the eve of their Coupe de France semifinal against Sochaux. Marseille owner Margarita Louis-Dreyfus had insisted after a crisis meeting earlier this month that former Real Madrid midfielder Michel, 53, would remain in charge until the end of the season. But the 2010 French champions lost 2-1 at Monaco on Sunday to stay just six points clear of the relegation zone and extend their winless league run to 10 matches. Louis-Dreyfus, who announced last week that she is putting the club up for sale, has now decided to part company with Michel. A club statement released on Tuesday morning said that the ex-Sevilla and Olympiakos coach has been suspended until details of his departure can be finalised. "Given the performance of Michel, notably during the last three weeks, Olympique de Marseille has suspended him with immediate effect and summoned him for a pre-dismissal interview," the statement on the club's website read. "Until the end of the season, Franck Passi, the assistant manager, will lead the team and will be helped with his task by Basile Boli, designated as sporting co-ordinator." Michel only took over last August after Marcelo Bielsa resigned following an opening-day defeat against Caen. A 6-0 home win over Troyes in Michel's first game in charge proved deceptive as since September the club have gone a record 14 games without a league win at the Stade Velodrome. Michel guided Marseille through their Europa League group but since February their only wins have come against amateur sides Trelissac and Granville in the Coupe de France. Following their latest loss at Monaco, Michel said his side's form meant they could not go into Wednesday's game at Ligue 2 side Sochaux as favourites. Passi will now be in charge for that match and will also be expected to keep Marseille in Ligue 1. Boli, who scored the winner for Marseille in the 1993 Champions League final, was previously an ambassador for the club this season. He was fiercely critical of Michel for leaving top scorer Michy Batshuayi out of the side for the recent 0-0 home draw with Bordeaux.
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