Chelsea legend Claude Makelele ‘QUITS as manager of Astera Tripoli’ just three weeks and three games into job
CLAUDE MAKELELE has reportedly quit his role as a manager after just THREE weeks and three games in charge – and without losing.
The former Chelsea midfielder took over at Greek outfit Asteras Tripolis on September 13 – his first job as a gaffer for five years.
His first game in charge was a 1-1 draw with Panetolikos before he registered another stalemate with Levadiakos on September 28.
Makelele’s men then ran out 3-1 winners on Sunday away at Kallithea.
However, news broke on Monday that he had suddenly left in a shock twist.
Sport24 in Greece suggested Makelele decided to walk away due to a difference in football philosophy with the club’s board.
Asteras Tripolis sit seventh in the Greece Super League table after seven games this season – seven points off leaders PAOK.
Makelele, 51, enjoyed a hugely successful playing career.
The star revolutionised the holding midfielder role and the No6 position is still sometimes called the “Makelele Role”.
He won Ligue 1 with Nantes in 1994-95 and had stints with Marseille and Celta Vigo before shining for Real Madrid.
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The Frencham – who earned 71 caps – lifted the Champions League in 2002, sandwiched between two LaLiga-winning seasons.
Makelele arrived at Chelsea in 2003 under Claudio Ranieri and was a key figure as Jose Mourinho swept to back-to-back Premier League crowns.
He finished with three seasons at Paris Saint-Germain then stepped into coaching and management.
Spells as a coach at PSG, Swansea and Chelsea – where he also mentored – interlinked with managerial gigs at Bastia and Eupen before his shock appointment in Greece last month, five years after leaving the Belgian outfit.
During his brief time at Asteras Tripolis, Makelele did manage to sign free agent and former Manchester United striker Federico Macheda.