After several days of procrastination, Pablo Longoria decided to stay. The Spaniard announced on Friday, September 22, that he intended to remain president of Olympique de Marseille (OM), a position he has held since February 2021. However, he admitted to having thought about stepping back these recent hours, because of the threats he received from certain supporters group leaders.
“I am regaining energy and I have decided to continue my mission,” the leader declared to journalists, adding that he had made his decision, “touched by the outpouring of popular support and the expressions of affection and confidence from all sides, players, supporters, actors in the economic and political world, institutions… all those who understood the need for change. » He also explained that he had “a very long conversation with Frank McCourt”, owner of the club, as well as with the members of the supervisory board, who testified “displayed unconditional support”.
The day before this declaration, Pablo Longoria had given up taking part in OM’s trip to the Netherlands, for the match against Ajax Amsterdam in the Europa League. It was therefore from afar that he had witnessed his men’s draw with twists and turns (3-3), just like most of the other club officials, who had also skipped this trip to the heart of a hectic week. But, this Sunday, the Spaniard assured him: he will be at the Parc des Princes for the clash of the 6th day of Ligue 1 against Paris Saint-Germain.
“End patterns of behavior.”
During his intervention, Pablo Longoria did not wish to “revisit what happened on Monday”, contenting himself with saying: “Inadmissible! Unacceptable! » Thursday, in the daily La Provence, he revealed part of the behind-the-scenes of the meeting at the start of the week between the management of OM and the representatives of the supporter groups. “I was able to speak for two minutes, then I was cut off and things got out of control very quickly… We were told: “All four of you resign [Longoria; Director of Football, Javier Ribalta; general manager, Pedro Iriondo; and the financial director, Stéphane Tessier], otherwise it’s war.” »
“In 2023, a manager of any club cannot endure these threats. I don’t accept them. I wasn’t scared, but I was shocked. I consider that this is not normal,” he also insisted to the regional title. Pedro Iriondo was also present Friday afternoon at the Commanderie training center, where the club president had invited the press.
Although he denies wanting to “fuel [the] conflict”, Pablo Longoria has nevertheless asked his lawyers to file a complaint. “Simply [to] put an end to patterns of behavior so that this type of situation does not happen again,” he justified. “I live complicated days with a lot of emotion,” he argued. The crisis at OM led to the departure of coach Marcelino on Wednesday after only seven matches on the Marseille bench.
