Bastia, France: Former France midfielder Claude Makelele’s first coaching stint was brought to a premature end on Monday, when he was sacked by Ligue 1 strugglers SC Bastia.
“The board of directors of SCB inform their supporters and partners that as of today Claude Makelele is no longer the coach of Sporting Club of Bastia,” read a statement on the club’s website.
Makelele, 41, was appointed in the summer but lasted just 12 Ligue 1 games in charge of the Corsicans, winning two.
The final straw was Saturday’s 1-0 defeat away to Guingamp, which left Bastia second from bottom in the top flight.
“These are the risks of being a coach and I accept them,” said Makelele as he took the time to stop and talk to reporters after announcing the news to his players.
“I thank the club for showing confidence in me. It has been a pleasure to coach this team. I am sure that they will get out of trouble because the quality is there. I know SCB will remain in Ligue 1.”
One of the best players in his position in the last decade during a career that notably took in Real Madrid and Chelsea, Makelele was the captain of Paris Saint-Germain before moving into a role as assistant coach at the club.
He left his position as number two to Laurent Blanc in the summer to join Bastia and oversaw an overhaul of the playing staff before his new side battled back from two goals behind to hold Marseille to a 3-3 draw on the opening day of the season.
However, the loss at Guingamp was Bastia’s fourth in their last five games.
Despite the nature of his departure, Makelele denied that the experience must be considered a failure. “Not at all, on the contrary. For me, there are only positives as it has been a learning experience. In the future I will not make the same errors,” he insisted.
