Olympique de Marseille has announced the departure of Marcelino

by Lawrence Sen September 20, 2023, 6:31 pm 2k Views

Olympique de Marseille has recently announced the departure of Marcelino, the Spanish technician who was appointed just a few months ago. This unexpected turn of events comes as a result of a tumultuous meeting between the Marseille supporters’ groups and the club’s management, which left the Iberian coach dissatisfied with the way things were being handled.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time that President Pablo Longoria has had to manage the departure of a coach during his tenure at the club, with Jorge Sampoli being the previous case. In search of a replacement, Longoria turned to an old acquaintance, Marcelino, who has been close to him since 2006. The former Athletic coach had the advantage of being available without any contractual obligations, making him an attractive choice for the club.

However, Marcelino’s first foray into coaching abroad did not go as planned. The disappointment began with the team’s early exit from the Champions League, being eliminated by Panathinaikos in the third qualifying round. This setback was followed by a mixed start to the Ligue 1 season, with Marseille struggling to maintain pace with league leaders Monaco. Additionally, there were growing criticisms surrounding the handling of the Ounahi situation, further adding to the pressure on Marcelino.

Ultimately, it was the heated meeting between the Marseille supporters’ groups and the club’s management that became the tipping point for Marcelino. Unhappy with the pressures imposed on the club’s management, the Spanish coach decided to pack his bags and leave. The club, in a statement, expressed their disappointment at the circumstances surrounding Marcelino’s departure, emphasizing that the events of September 18th did not allow him and his technical staff to fulfill their roles under favorable conditions.

The departure of Marcelino and his staff has left the entire club disheartened. It is unfortunate that an experienced coach and his team, who arrived at Marseille with great commitment and dedication on June 23rd, have had to part ways due to non-sporting reasons. This departure sets a record for Marcelino, as he becomes the fastest coach in the history of Olympique de Marseille to leave his position since the year 2000.

The news of Marcelino’s departure has undoubtedly come as a blow to the club and its supporters. It remains to be seen how Olympique de Marseille will navigate this setback and find a suitable replacement to lead the team forward. The search for a new coach will undoubtedly be a crucial task for President Pablo Longoria, as he aims to bring stability and success to the club in the midst of these challenging times.

The departure of Marcelino marks a disappointing chapter in the history of Olympique de Marseille. The circumstances surrounding his exit highlight the challenges faced by the club in maintaining a harmonious relationship between the supporters and the management. As the search for a new coach begins, all eyes will be on Marseille as they strive to overcome this setback and continue their pursuit of success on the football pitch.