Eurosport’s Top 5 Worst Olympique de Marseille Seasons Since 2000

Olympique de Marseille has endured numerous turbulent campaigns in the 21st century, but a retrospective ranking compiled by Eurosport identifies the 2015–16 season as the absolute nadir of the club’s modern era. That chaotic year, marked by Marcelo Bielsa’s abrupt resignation on the opening day, a 13th-place Ligue 1 finish, and severe squad instability, stands out even among several other deeply disappointing campaigns for the French powerhouse.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Resignation Triggers 2015–16 Chaos

The 2015–16 campaign unraveled almost immediately at the Stade Vélodrome. On August 8, 2015, following a home defeat to SM Caen on the opening day of the Ligue 1 season, manager Marcelo Bielsa announced his resignation during the post-match press conference. Eurosport reported that his departure set off an apocalyptique (apocalyptic) sequence for the club.

Franck Passi initially took charge on an interim basis before the club appointed Michel. Passi returned to finish the campaign after Michel was dismissed. The ghost of Bielsa hung over the squad for months; in January 2016, supporters chanted his name during a scoreless draw against Guingamp. Michel later admitted to reporters that managing Marseille was the hardest job of his life.

Despite a 6-0 thrashing of Troyes early on and the steady presence of midfielder Lassana Diarra as a rare bright spot, Marseille languished in 16th place after ten matches. A horrific run of eleven consecutive league matches without a victory from February 2016 onward included a 5-2 home defeat against Rennes. While the club reached the Coupe de France final—defeating Caen and Montpellier from Ligue 1 alongside lower-tier sides Trélissac, Granville, and Sochaux—they fell 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the decider. OM finished 13th in Ligue 1, finishing fewer than ten points clear of the relegated Stade de Reims.

Marseille Narrowly Avoids Relegation During 2000–01 Season

Before the struggles of the mid-2010s, the 2000–01 season produced Marseille’s lowest league finish of the 21st century, placing 15th in Ligue 1. The club narrowly avoided relegation, finishing just three points above 16th-placed Toulouse. Eurosport noted that the squad suffered from intense on-field inconsistency under three different head managers: Abel Braga, who was dismissed in November 2000; Javier Clemente, dismissed in April 2001; and Tomislav Ivic, who guided the team to the finish line.

Off the pitch, Robert Louis-Dreyfus overhauled the leadership structure by removing sporting director Marcel Dib, manager Eric Di Meco, and president Yves Marchand. Braga resigned in solidarity with Di Meco despite a 4-1 victory over Metz. Amid severe financial losses, the club received a brief boost when 1995 Ballon d’Or winner George Weah joined, scoring five goals in 19 appearances—including a decisive double in a 2-1 victory over defending champions Monaco.

Massive Overhauls Mar 2001–02

The summer of 2001 brought a staggering turnover in personnel that ultimately destabilized the squad.

The roster changes coincided with the return of Bernard Tapie, which sparked open conflict with administrative director Pierre Dubiton. On the bench, managerial instability returned with rotations between José Anigo, Tomislav Ivic, Josip Skoblar, a second stint for Ivic, and finally Albert Emon. Marseille slumped into the relegation zone after ten matches and stagnated at 9th place, hampered by an attack that managed just 34 goals in 34 matches alongside a protracted transfer saga involving Mario Jardel.

Big Budgets Meet Domestic and European Misery in 2018–19

Despite boasting a formidable roster featuring Florian Thauvin, Mario Balotelli, Luiz Gustavo, Lucas Ocampos, Dimitri Payet, Steve Mandanda, Boubacar Kamara, and Kevin Strootman, the 2018–19 campaign fell flat. Eurosport highlighted that Marseille failed to establish the consistency required for a podium finish, sliding to tenth place by February following home defeats to Nantes and a draw against Angers.

The domestic struggles mirrored a disastrous UEFA Europa League campaign. Fresh off reaching the final the previous year—where they lost 3-0 to Atlético Madrid—OM managed just one draw and five defeats in the group stage, including a 3-1 home loss to Apollon Limassol. To compound the misery, National 2 side Andrézieux eliminated Marseille in the Round of 32 of the Coupe de France, cementing the season as a massive underachievement.

European Runs Mask Ligue 1 Collapses in 2011–12

The 2011–12 season presents a unique paradox in club history. Eurosport observed that while Didier Deschamps’ side captured the Trophée des Champions against Lille (5-4) and advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League—highlighted by a 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund and Brandão scoring with his back against AC Milan—their domestic form was catastrophic.

Marseille opened the Ligue 1 season winless in their first six matches under Deschamps, sitting bottom in 20th place with three draws and three losses, and winning only one of their first ten league outings. Although a mid-season resurgence lifted them to fourth by mid-February, OM collapsed into a winless streak of 14 league matches featuring nine defeats. They limped to a finish in the top 10, rendering their European exploits a stark contrast to domestic failure.

Frequently Asked Questions About OM’s Worst Campaigns