Marseilles president Jean-Claude Dassier has revealed Liverpool have contacted him about Didier Deschamps, but he has told them they have no chance of tempting the Ligue 1 winning coach away from Stade Velodrome.
Speculation has been rife over who will take charge at Anfield since Rafael Benitez left the club at the beginning of the month, with Kenny Dalglish and Roy Hodgson among the current frontrunners.
However, Dassier claims Deschamps is the man Liverpool want.
“It’s true, Liverpool’s executive director, Christian Purslow, called me Thursday morning,” he told L’Equipe. “He speaks French very well, is very polite.
“I was expecting his call because I had heard of Liverpool’s interest in Didier. He asked me if I would allow him to meet Didier and (agent) Jean-Pierre Bernes.
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“I replied that I would never forbid anyone from meeting whoever. I also kindly indicated to him that there wasn’t the slightest chance for him to pinch our coach. Even in his dreams.”
Deschamps’ contract runs out at the end of next season and he is yet to sign an extension.
However, Dassier is confident of keeping the former Marseilles midfielder.
He continued: “With Didier, we have a trusting relationship. I hope he will commit himself to us for another year. I’m not worried.
“It’s true also that Didier is flattered to see a great European club interested in him.”
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Deschamps is regarded as one of Europe’s best young managers and has had an impressive start to his career since taking over the reins at Monaco in 2001.
He steered them side to the Coupe de la Ligue title just two years after taking his first managerial post and led them to the Champions League final the following season
The former France international, who won the World Cup and European Championship in an illustrious playing career, then helped Juventus to the Serie B title in his one season at the Bianconeri.
The 41-year-old took charge at Marseilles last summer and led them to their first Ligue 1 title in 18 years.