MARSEILLE - Franck Passi insists he feels no pressure in succeeding Marcelo Bielsa as coach of Marseille and is revelling in his nickname of 'El Local' rather than the Argentine's fearsome 'El Loco'.
Passi, 49, was promoted to the hot seat at the former European champions when Bielsa quit on the opening weekend of the French season last Sunday in a bitter row over his contract.
Now Passi, installed as caretaker boss, is looking to draw a veil over the week's controversies when Marseille travel to Reims on Sunday.
"I don't feel any pressure," said Passi on Friday. "When I was a player, I experienced spells where I had more pressure than this."
Passi had been part of Bielsa's coaching staff at the Stade Velodrome after a playing career which took in Marseille, Monaco and even two years with Bolton in England.
"The players know me. I am straight, direct and I believe they have confidence in me. I feel we are together. I don't see my life is going to change at all."
Passi said he was shocked when Bielsa walked out after just over a year in charge.
"My first reaction was disappointment because I wasn't expecting it at all. But we will try to put all that behind us on Sunday and concentrate on other objectives," he said.
Marseille started their season with a 1-0 home loss to Caen last Sunday and Passi has gradually been introducing tweaks here and there to the playing system.
"We didn't do the same training sessions as we did under Marcelo, they have been a little more intense, a little more global.
"After the shock of last week, we wanted to remain together to prepare for this battle at the weekend.
"Marcelo left behind a legacy, based on attacking and spectacle, they are things we want to conserve."
Passi said he was ready to face the challenge of following in the footsteps of the larger-than-life Bielsa.
"It won't be easy to follow him but I approach this with a lot of serenity. Bielsa is a monster of organisation and at this level we all learned a lot."
Although he has only been named in a caretaker capacity, Passi believes he is ready for the job full-time based on his 18 years as a tough midfielder and 12 as a coach.
"I have the ambition. I haven't been given a time limit or an objective but if the opportunity is offered I would take my chance just like everybody else."
Passi said he is also happy with the nickname of "El Local" bestowed upon him by fans.
"It's not too bad, better perhaps than 'El Loco'," he said.
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