Pablo Longoria was giving a press conference to discuss current issues at the Olympique de Marseille, and to break with the virtual silence of the media from his predecessor Jacques-Henri Eyraud.
He mentioned sales rumors, the transfer window, Jorge Sampaoli and a Ligue 1 with 18 clubs, among others.
“Good communication, a good way of doing things with respect, is important. The young president of Olympique de Marseille, Pablo Longoria (34) gave a press conference this Wednesday morning to sweep the club's news. Appointed for only two months, the one who has "already got used" to his new role wants to break with the habits of his predecessor, Jacques-Henri Eyraud, for whom relations with the press had become almost non-existent.
He reaffirmed his desire to be part of the Olympique de Marseille over the long term, "a club with all the values that I love in football, that I have chosen to live out his passion, experience unique emotions, j 'I have the feeling of having found my place in the world, I am very happy here in town ”.
A declaration of love for OM and for the city, after having addressed many topical subjects.
The sale of the club
Many imagined this press conference as a possible announcement of the sale of the club, it was not.
“This is a subject on which I am surprised.
Since January our owner has made a statement: "I do not sell the club".
He spoke with the supporters and reassured everyone that the club is not for sale.
He wants to perpetuate himself here and still make plans.
In my individual conversations, he talks to me about the future.
At the moment, the club is not for sale.
And in my experiences, when a club goes on sale, nothing comes out publicly in the press.
"
The arrival of Sampaoli
“I am very happy with the coach.
Next season, he will work with player profiles adapted to his idea of the game, now it's the adaptation phase.
My daily work with Jorge very positive.
We were really in trouble, he changed the dynamic, he gave everyone confidence.
He is a person who has integrated very well into the club, he lives the club.
There are days when he eats with the kids from the training center, that's the thing we wanted to see at the club.
He is a very great coach, he has the values to work in this type of club.
It has an impact on the results, but also on the daily life and the life of the club.
"
The transfer window
One thing is certain, it will be very lively this summer with more than 15 potential starts.
But some issues seem to have priority over others, such as Milik's future: “I don't like to take categorical positions but we have control of Milik, yes.
All players look for something more in their career and playing for a top club is one of them.
But he repeats that he is very happy here, in this big club.
"
On the continuation of Amavi and Thauvin: “We are moving forward and we are continuing to discuss, which is rather positive at the present time.
The end of contracts situations in Europe are very complicated, all the clubs are in difficulty, the market has changed radically.
Some players expect a lot in salary while we are going towards a reduction.
"
And the recruitment of Balerdi and Lirola: “We are still in communication with their agents.
We discuss the possibilities of making these files every day.
We are not going to make too offensive negotiations, we want to find a point of balance but we are very happy with Pol and Leo.
"
Economic difficulties
“All the clubs, and not only in France, are in difficulty.
It's even more complicated for French football with TV rights, there is a lot of insecurity.
I take this opportunity to give all my support to the employees of Bordeaux, we must all show solidarity.
For Olympique de Marseille, match days generate a lot of money with the stadium so it's a difficult situation to manage.
We ask ourselves a lot of questions about sustainability but the club is not in a critical situation.
The owner is very solid and I have to thank him.
It is a very difficult situation and all the actors must think together.
"
Ligue 1 with 18 clubs
One of the solutions would be the switch to a Ligue 1 with 18 clubs according to Pablo Longoria.
“One of the trends in European and French football is a reduction in the number of players in the workforce.
We play a lot of games and the players are the most important players in a club.
I am in favor of a Ligue 1 with 18 clubs, to improve the competitiveness of the championship, attract more attention and seek how to respect the priority players, which are the players.
"
The training center and the recruitment unit
The appointment of Pablo Longoria as president of OM has shaken up the sports sector a little, with the appointment of David Frioo as technical director and the arrival of Mathieu Louis-Jean as head of the recruitment unit. . “He has international experience, he is an important person for the future of the club, one of the best French recruiters. We have put a new organization chart in place with a working methodology on the model and the spirit of the game. This methodology is very important to help us in this game project. We have good relations with the clubs in the city and we want to recruit the best players in town. I consider that you cannot go and recruit players in Switzerland or in Africa if you are not credible in your own city. "
His comments on training in France
He judged the players trained in France as too "individualistic" in their approach to the detriment of the collective. “Everyone has a very specific opinion on the developments and the reality of French football, I was basing myself on the question of the UEFA ranking of France. This year France has 7,900 points while Israel has 7,000. Why have we come to this situation? I allow myself, with a lot of respect because there are very good coaches in France, a general reflection on this complicated situation. And for me one of the problems we have is the very individualistic type of training. Their adaptation is always different abroad, without saying that it is worse or better. When we see a French player arriving, he comes with his personal trainer, his individual nutritionist,we have more the impression of a tennis player than of a soccer player. And when you're a leader, you ask yourself a lot of questions. We can also have a reflection on the style of the national team. Having a style of its own like Spain in 2010 has enabled many Spanish technicians to export themselves to other countries ”.
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