Falling in love with the atmosphere of the Stade Vélodrome one evening of France-Germany in the semifinals of Euro 2016, Franck McCourt would not have hesitated long before buying the OM. The American investor, former owner of Los Angeles Dodgers, famous American franchise baseball, landed on the Canebière end of August 2016, with strong ambitions: help OM to find the heights around a slogan "OM champions project."
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After three years, where are we? According to Ambre Godillon (Yahoo Sport), guest of Europe 1, the report is without appeal: "If we look back three years with his 'champions project' we are clearly not there.I think when it is not the only one at fault, even if in view of his status as owner of the club, he is the first person in charge. " The journalist then evokes the choice of Franck McCourt to assign the role of OM president to Jacques-Henri Eyraud, who according to her "has a total misunderstanding of the Marseille environment and a disastrous, even laughable communication."
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Olympique de Marseille has a president who knows nothing about football
Passed by OM as a player from 1992 to 1998, Marc Libbra is, for its part, not surprised by the current state of affairs in Marseille. "Right from the start, McCourt had $ 200 million to spend over two years on three transfer windows, and when he signs, he suspects he has no knowledge of football. president who knows nothing about football either Zubizarreta (the sports director) I was delighted that he was there, unfortunately he struggles to win, "the former player analysis. "When you sell Zambo Anguissa 30 million euros, you think to win the lottery and behind you buy Strootman to swing nearly 30 million, it's not possible," he continues.
Europa League in misery
The Marseille epic in the Europa League, during the 2017-2018 season, is the only thinning from a sports point of view under the McCourt era. But even in this regard, Marc Libbra is very critical: "The champions project, there is not at all because they can not get back to the Champions League, it's 'alive', we do not know what The only clearing up is this Europa League final (3-0 defeat at Atlético Madrid) with a very spectacular half and quarter final, with the fans pushing. true Marseille. "
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OM? a club that always saw under emergency
Today, the OM is, again, in a delicate financial situation, because of the expenses of these last years, which were not followed by sports results. The next winter transfer window looks bleak. Despite this, So foot journalist Javier Prieto Santos recalls that "OM is a club under emergency." "There is always something going on, that's what characterizes it and it's an appreciable trait," says the specialist, before referring to "the emotions conveyed during the Europa League final."
Fifth in the 2016/2017 season, fourth in 2018/2019 and currently fourth after ten days, OM is certainly regular but has not yet found the Champions League. Franck McCourt pays his bad choices "in the structure and in the hierarchy", concludes Ambre Godillon.