Marseille (AFP) – Marseille president Vincent Labrune says he will leave the club before the start of the new season, regional daily La Provence reported on Thursday.

The club is owned by Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, widow of the former owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus, and with no potential buyer in sight ahead of the August 8 Ligue 1 season opener.

“I won’t be there for the start of the season,” Labrune, who has been in the role since 2011, told La Provence. 

“If we stop, we really stop. And I really, really want to stop,” said Labrune.

The club recently sold two of its star players including star striker Michy Batshuayi, who joined Chelsea for 40 million euros (£32.9m, $44.4m), and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who joined Crystal Palace.