Olivier Ntcham got his Marseille career off to a winning start following controversy surrounding his loan move from Celtic as the Ligue 1 side cruised beyond Auxerre in the Coupe de France.
The 25-year-old played the full second half after coming on as a substitute as second half strikes from Dario Benedetto and Bamba Dieng sealed a comfortable win.
The club’s academy head Nasser Larguet took charge of the side after former boss Andre Villas Boas handed in his resignation at an explosive press conference over the signing of the France under-21 cap.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss walked out in protest over the loan move, which he claimed had been made over his head.
It led to an astonishing media call in which Portuguese boss Villas Boas publicly chastised the club and sporting director Pablo Longoria before claiming he had offered his resignation.
The French giants initially suspended the 43-year-old, but later terminated his deal in a statement branding his attitude “seriously damaging” to the club.
It added: “Any sanctions will be taken against André Villas-Boas following a disciplinary procedure.”
Ntcham meanwhile insisted he was “surprised” by the claims, adding that Villas Boas had attempted to sign him almost two years earlier.
However the transfer was mired in more issues when comments made by the midfielder over his love of rivals PSG emerged.
He said: Marseille wanted me when I finished the Euros with the France under-21s in 2019. They contacted my entourage.
“So when I heard that after I signed it was funny to me.
"Andre Villas-Boas knew me well, he knew about it. His personal agent wanted to work with me.
"He even asked for an exclusive mandate on the Marseille deal which I didn’t accept, so I think it followed on from that.
"I was really surprised but after what happened I disregarded the story because I’m so proud to have come to Marseille.”
Marseille could now face sides from as low as the seventh tier of the French game in the round of 32 after their win over second division Auxerre.
L’OM have the option to buy Ntcham from the Parkhead side at the end of the season for an agreed fee.
