The days pass and OM continue to tear themselves behind the scenes. In question: the fate of the trainer André Villas-Boas, great craftsman of the beautiful second place of the club and his return to the Champions League. But with the departure last week of his great friend and sports director Andoni Zubizaretta, the charismatic and popular Portuguese may well in turn leave La Canebière. Facing him, President Jacques-Henri Eyraud, challenged by the fans, is now playing big. He made a first offer of extension to his coach, who refused it. A real game of lying poker that could leave deep marks and have serious consequences for OM.
André Villas-Boas in hand
Several months ago, André Villas-Boas linked his fate to that of Andoni Zubizaretta. With the departure of the Spanish sports director, the fate of the Portuguese coach made little doubt. But in recent days, a real struggle for influence has been taking place behind the scenes of the Marseille club. The former coach of Porto and Chelsea did not mark the end of his adventure on the Canebière.
"AVB" has however refused a first offer of extension from its leaders, while a second is currently being drafted. It must be said that there is no hurry for the one who won an unexpected second place in Ligue 1 with OM. Villas-Boas has another year of contract and the support of the vast majority of hot supporters of Marseille, even if the pact of trust with its leaders seems broken.
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Eyraud walks on eggs
Facing him, President Jacques-Henri Eyraud finds himself stuck. The Marseilles leader, strongly criticized by the fans, must juggle between two imperatives a priori irreconcilable: the sporting ambition of a club qualified for the Champions League and the need to bring in money in a very heavily indebted club. OM, under the threat of UEFA financial fair play, must sell for at least 60 million euros of players by the end of June, under penalty of heavy sanctions.
The strategy of the Marseille president is in any case illegible. By activating the departure of Zubizarretta, he knew that the maintenance of Villas-Boas was hanging by a thread. But "JHE" does not want to assume this unpopular decision, so he tries to reverse the game by offering an extension of contract to his coach. Implied: if the Portuguese coach refuses and leaves Marseille, it will not be his fault.
But no one is fooled by the very complicated relations between Eyraud and Villas-Boas. Meanwhile, the club is wasting precious time preparing for next season. OM, or the art of shooting yourself a ball in the foot.