French club Marseille on Friday appointed Stéphane Richard as its new president as the new season continues.
Richard, 64, will replace Alban Juster, the former chief executive of French telecoms giant Orange, who held the position on an interim basis after Pablo Longoria left the job. Richard will officially take up his post in July.
Marseille part ways with Longoria last month on the coach’s back Roberto de Zerbi leaves the club.
What is the current status of De Zerbi? Tottenham’s struggling managerleft behind after unrequited love 5-0 loss They lost 3-0 against Paris Saint-Germain and then against Club Brugge on the final day of the group stage, resulting in an embarrassing exit from the Champions League.
Marseille were the first French team to win the Champions League in 1993, but PSG matched that feat last season.
PSG is currently Dominance In French football, Marseille has not won a trophy since the 2012 League Cup.
attachment to the club
Marseille’s 67,000-capacity Stade Vélodrome stadium is now known as the Vélodrome de Orange, following a naming rights change in 2016 during Richard’s time at Orange.
Richard said he loves Marseille, passed his bachelor’s exams there, owns a house there and regularly attends games against rivals PSG.
“I know this city well and I know the background of the club,” he said at a press conference on Friday. “I love this stadium coming here. Every time we win, PSG match The atmosphere at the beginning of this season has been great. ”
Marseille’s American owner, Frank McCourt, said Richard’s candidacy stood out among many other players and the deal was signed over a long dinner in London.
“I told myself he was the ideal person, the right person to lead this project,” said McCourt, who took over in 2016.
McCourt, 72, is the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and bought Marseille from Russian-born billionaire Margarita Louis-Dreyfus.
race to the champions league
Marseille are in fourth place in Ligue 1, with their only goal being to qualify for the Champions League. Marseille hosted rock bottom Metz late on Friday.
Marseille have been in poor form in recent weeks and are level on points with Monaco in fifth and one point behind third-placed Lille. The top three will qualify directly and the fourth place team will qualify.
The season started in an optimistic mood after finishing second behind PSG last season, but tensions quickly surfaced at the pressure-cooker club.
French midfielder Adrien Rabiot and English forward Jonathan Lowe have both been confirmed to leave the club. locker room brawl After the season opener at Rennes. Rabiot moved to AC Milan, while Low moved to Bologna, also in Italy’s Serie A.
Rabiot has 57 caps for France and was Marseille’s player of the match last season. His solid midfield presence, leadership qualities and crisp passing will be sorely missed.
Former Rennes manager Habib Bayet (former Marseille defender) has left Rennes. command Marseille Following De Zerbi’s departure. ___
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