Former Marseille manager Marcelino denounces “reprehensible threats” from club’s supporters

Speaking for the first time since his departure from Olympique de Marseille in September, Marcelino has denounced the “reprehensible threats” levelled at him by the club’s supporters. 

Marcelino’s departure from Les Phocéens was confirmed on 20th September. It came in the wake of an explosive meeting between OM’s hierarchy and the club’s supporters’ groups just days earlier. The Spaniard, who only replaced Igor Tudor in the summer, departed after just seven official games with the club. 

Many of Marseille’s executives also considered their futures following the “extremely tense” meeting. Notably, President Pablo Longoria and director of football Javier Ribalta stepped back from their roles. Whilst the former quickly returned, announcing that he would remain at the club during a press conference, the latter is set to leave, according to a report from L’Équipe. 

Speaking to L’Équipe, Marcelino has now reflected on his short spell as manager of Les Phocéens, and he was particularly critical of the club’s fanbase. “I didn’t make the decision to leave, it was a general decision in light of the absolutely reprehensible threats […] I will never accept threats in my field of work. [I was] very angry and sad. We put all of our enthusiasm into developing an attractive project at a big club. At least we thought it was a big club in all senses of the word, but these deplorable events show that it isn’t as big a club as it wants to be. Some radical supporters wanting to constantly influence events prevent it from being a big club,” said Marcelino. 

The Spaniard said he had never experienced such a situation and hopes never to do so again. “I have been a manager for 20 years and prior to that, as a player for almost 20 years as well. I had never seen that in my life. I don’t think I’ll see it again, at least I hope not. It’s a way of doing things that is far away from what it should be in reality in a civilised country in 2023,” he said. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle