In a few weeks, everything changed. While Igor Tudor was on his way to take Olympique de Marseille to the Champions League, the machine suddenly broke down. OM allowed Racing Club de Lens to surge towards second place in Ligue 1. In the process, the Croatian technician made it clear that he would not honor his final year of contract. From now on, everything must be rebuilt, or nearly inhabited Velodrome stadium.
instability that plagues OM
In top-level football, results often determine the fate of coaches. In recent years, Olympique de Marseille has fired many of its coaches for lack of results. In 2016, we remember the Spaniard Michel, who finally left OM in 13th place in Ligue 1 at the end of the season. In the process, Frank Passey also did not last long. Rudy Garcia only managed to stay in place for more than two and a half years.
What is currently causing concern in Bouches-du-Rhône is the more or less voluntary departure of some technicians. Keep in mind this amazing closing of the door by Marcelo Bielsa at the start of the 2015-16 season. But also, more recently, Jorge Sampaoli, who has just won the Champions League again. Recently, it was Igor Tudor, despite his interesting 57% win rate, who decided to leave. Why) ? It sounds multiple, but the observation is universal: Marseille will need more stability to stay at the highest level.
A philosophy that is hard to decipher
When he arrived at Olympique de Marseille in the summer of 2020, the idea seemed obvious. Known for scouting the talents of tomorrow, Pablo Longoria aimed to recruit shrewdly before making good sales, in order to please American OM owner Frank McCourt. Three years later, that philosophy is hard to find in the expanses of the Velodrome. Only Morgan Sanson will make 15 million euros in 2021. In return, Boubacar Kamara has been left free.
Good deals almost turned into huge investments, when last winter OM lost 32 million euros to recruit Portuguese striker Vitinha (two goals in 14 French League matches). Headed into the Champions League third qualifying round by all stakes this summer, without a coach and with a precarious workforce (what about the future of Alexis Sanchez, Matteo Guendouzi, Dimitri Payet?), Marseille will have to continue in ideas if they want to avoid a difficult year. It’s for sure.
