It could get nasty tonight at the Stade Velodrome as Olympique Marseille and Villarreal face off in the UEFA Europa League. For one reason – the Yellow Submarine boss Marcelino Garcia Toral is a well-known face at Marseille since he was in the OM dugout for a short period in September 2023.Marcelino became the OM manager ahead of this season but left after only seven games at the club due to a tumultuous meeting between the club hierarchy and representatives of supporters groups. 🎙Marcelino, about returning to Marseille:”It seems like yesterday when I was here but time passes quickly. We’re going to play against a good rival, a historic club, on a great stage. I said it when I was here: this field is different. It’s a super attractive match.”[cont⬇️] pic.twitter.com/Fs1iBnoesV— Villarreal Report (@Villarreal_Rep) March 6, 2024 During this meeting, it was said that the manager allegedly received “intimidation, threats, and slander”. He quit following this and has been highly critical of sections of the fanbase in a subsequent interview with L’Equipe.”Some radical supporters want to constantly influence events, preventing it from being a big club.”##EDITORS_CHOICE##Because of these words, Villarreal have hired several members of a private security firm to escort Marcelino throughout his time in the city, RMC Sports reports. Furthermore, three Spanish police officers will also be travelling with the team to ensure that there are no incidents or isolated acts, no matter how small. Ivory Coast reject propels Marseille towards European competitionsIn the meantime, OM president Pablo Longoria expects that it will not be a ‘pleasant’ reception for the former boss on his return. Speaking ahead of the match, Longoria addressed what will await Marcelino later tonight: “I believe that it will not be a very pleasant reception based on statements taken out of context, which I believe have not been contextualised.”I never try to go back in time and say I shouldn’t have done that. I sincerely believe, with my heart on my sleeve, that over time, Marcelino could have developed his ideas.” UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE1/8 finals – first legWednesdaySporting – Atalanta 1-1 (1-1)/Paulinho 17 – Scamacca 39/Thursday20:45: (2.20) Roma (3.45) Brighton (3.25)20:45: (9.00) Qarabag (5.00) Leverkusen (1.40)20:45: (3.90) Sparta Praha (3.50) Liverpool (1.95)23:00: (2.00) Olympique Marseille (3.50) Villareal (3.80)23:00: (2.60) Freiburg (3.40) West Ham (2.85)23:00: (1.48) AC Milan (4.30) Slavia Praha (7.00)23:00: (1.60) Benfica (4.00) Rangers (5.70)***odds are subject to change***
