Florian Thauvin has said that Marseille manager Franck Passi is "90 percent" of the reason why he chose to return to the club rather than join Lazio.
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille from Newcastle, Thauvin, 23, agreed another temporary deal last week.
"I had the chance to go to Lazio," the attacking midfielder said in an interview filmed by Marseille.
"But I preferred to come back here because it's a place I know well and a place that's close to my heart.
"I have huge respect for the big club that Lazio is but I think that for the good of my career and my development the best solution for me was to come back to Marseille.