Third year in a row, third coach. France’s most popular club, Olympique Marseille just announced it’s new coach, after an extensive search, which lasted a couple of weeks. And considering that before this one, Marseille president Pablo Longoria directly negotiated with Marcelo Gallardo, it seems that the club from Southern France got the second choice boss: Marcelino García Toral, simply known as Marcelino. #OM announces the signing of Marcelino to lead the team next season ✍️🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/xvCu5v0Sbt— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) June 23, 2023 Two years before, Jorge Sampaoli took over the club, and brought Marseille from fifth place with coach Andre Villas-Boas to the second spot. But, his vision and the transfer budget he wanted were not in line with Longoria and the Argentine coach simply left the job. Croatian Igor Tudor, from a generation of younger coaches took over, but the results were mixed. He finished third, but the locker room was not happy with the working conditions of a new coach, and the players even asked for a meeting with the president at one point during the season. Luckily for them, Tudor cited personal reasons for quitting after just one season, and Marseille was forced to look for a new coach, again. Another year and another coach spent: Tudor says leaves Olympique de MarseilleAs we said before, the first candidate was successful former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo, but the two sided couldn’t agree at one point. Then a Marseille native and PSG coach Christophe Galtier was mentioned, but there was a small problem – he is still in Paris. Everybody knows his time is over, but he still officially in the dugout and Olympique couldn’t wait that long. Paulo Fonseca from Lille was also mentioned, but nothing came out of it. So, former Villarreal, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao coach signed a two year deal. “I would like to thank Olympique de Marseille for the trust granted. Our discussions about the team and the project encouraged reflection to make an informed and thoughtful decision. With all of my staff, we are convinced by the project. I know the responsibility that this mission represents and our commitment will be total” said Marcelino in a written statement. OM need to keep Alexis and bring attacking football to VelodromeMarcelino has only 36 Europa League games (21 wins, seven draws and eight defeats) in his coaching career, and many sees that as his biggest disadvantage. But he was successful coach in Spain, where he won two Spanish Super Cups (with Valencia and Bilbao) and also managed two Champions League spots with Valencia. In terms of overall knowledge, a modest coach for such big club as Olympique Marseille, the only French team ever to win the Champions League. But, Marcelino is a longtime friend of president Pablo Longoria so that also played a big part in the negotiations. Now it remains to be seen if Marseille’s president has made a good decision. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7339161##
