Marcelino and Marseille set for fiery reunion

Managers don’t often last too long at Olympique de Marseille. The high managerial turnover is at least partially a by-product of the pressure-cooker environment and significant expectations of the club’s fervent fans. However, even within the Marseillais context, Marcelino’s stay at the club was ephemeral, to say the least. 

A friend of President Pablo Longoria, Marcelino replaced Igor Tudor in the summer. The latter left for personal reasons, worn out by his one-year stint at the Vélodrome, he is yet to return to management. He replaced Jorge Sampaoli, who himself lasted just over a year. Marcelino’s tenure was marked in weeks rather than months or years. 

After an underwhelming first seven games as Marseille manager, a now infamous meeting took place between the club’s executives and its fans. The former were reportedly threatened by the latter, ultimately forcing Javier Ribalta and David Friio out of the club; Longoria remained, but not before temporarily stepping back from his role in order to consider his future amidst an unworkable environment. 

Marcelino wasn’t present at the meeting, but he soon caught wind of it. After a brief period of reflection, he left due to the “intimidation, threats, insults and slander” that were directed towards him and the club’s hierarchy during the incendiary meeting. 

There is no love lost between Marseille’s fans and Marcelino, as the latter’s interview with L’Équipe showed just weeks later:

“My very short experience (with Marseille) makes me think that it is absolutely impossible to create a project at the club. Because such a big club can’t be manipulated by just a few [people]. Serious clubs are managed from the top, and every problem and every situation is managed and sanctioned if