Pape Diouf has quit his role as Marseille president, the Ligue 1 giants have confirmed.

Diouf's departure has been on the cards since the beginning of the month when his relationship with the club's owner, Robert Louis-Dreyfus, reportedly broke down following OM's failure to win a trophy last season despite heavy investment.

Louis-Dreyfus summoned the 57-year-old to his home in Zurich yesterday and after over two hours of talks, Diouf decided to tender his resignation.

"After five years as president, Pape Diouf will quit his role," read a statement from Louis-Dreyfus on the club website, www.om.net. "I have to congratulate him for the work he has accomplished within the club.

"He was a great president who worked for the good of Olympique Marseille.

"From a sporting point of view he knew how to lift the club to the highest level in France, finishing second in the league, all while fighting for the title until the last day.

"Moreover, he gifted the club with a healthy management.

"Unfortunately, the differences that have appeared prevent us from continuing the adventure.

"New challenges have to be picked up from now on. A new president will be named in the next few days."

Diouf had seemed to be heading for the exit since he failed to turn up to a supervisory board meeting last week, while he has also been in conflict with Louis-Dreyfus' spokesman and supervisory board director Vincent Labrune.

Sporting director Jose Anigo could follow Diouf out of the Stade Velodrome after claiming recently he would resign if the popular president was forced out.