Following the resignation of Marcelino Garcia Toral last week, Gennaro Gattuso was confirmed as the new coach of French giants Marseille on Wednesday.

"I am very happy and proud to join Marseille — a club and a stadium, the Velodrome, in which I had the opportunity to play and which is famous throughout Europe for the passion and fervour that emanates from it," the Italian national said in a statement.

Gattuso has previously managed AC Milan and Napoli, but has been a free agent since leaving Valencia at the start of this year.

Gattuso, a World Cup winner with Italy during a mostly successful playing career at Milan, had lately been linked with Marseille's French rivals Lyon.

Marseille were thrown into disarray last week when Marcelino resigned after only seven competitive games in charge.

His departure came after a stormy meeting between fan representatives and the club's administration, according to Marseille, in which president Pablo Longoria and several top colleagues were threatened and urged to prepare for "war" unless they quit.

Longoria, who was close to Marcelino, withdrew to think about his situation before deciding to stay with the club.

Marseille dropped to seventh place in Ligue 1 after a 4-0 loss at Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

They are also competing in the Europa League this season, hosting Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion next week.

On Saturday, Gattuso's debut match as manager will be against Monaco.