Stéphane Richard Details High-Spending Strategy Under Pablo Longoria

Olympique de Marseille president Stéphane Richard stated in an interview with The Athletic that the club operated under a high-spending strategy regarding player recruitment and salaries during Pablo Longoria’s tenure from 2021 to 2026, relying heavily on Champions League qualification revenues to sustain financial balance, TOP Mercato reported.

During the presidency of Pablo Longoria, Marseille pursued aggressive investments in the transfer market and player wages, a financial approach that secured high-profile arrivals such as Adrien Rabiot and Mason Greenwood during the summer 2024 transfer window. However, this strategy carried strict financial prerequisites tied directly to European competition participation. When the club failed to qualify for the current edition of the UEFA Champions League, the financial model unraveled, prompting subsequent sanctions from the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG) and UEFA. The club lived far beyond its substantial means and nearly hit the wall during the summer, a situation stemming from the direction taken under the leadership of Frank McCourt and Stéphane Richard.

Financial Sanctions Force Massive Squad Turnover at Stade Vélodrome

The financial shortfall and regulatory penalties led to a turbulent summer transfer window at Stade Vélodrome, where Marseille executed numerous player sales without bringing in new recruits. According to reports from journalists Mohamed Toubache-Ter and Romain Molina, the club’s financial restructuring remains ongoing, with projections indicating that Marseille will need to generate approximately €75 million through additional player departures during the summer 2027 transfer window.

Bruno Genesio Addresses Departure Rumors Amid Winless Run

Head coach Bruno Genesio addressed speculation regarding his potential resignation during a press conference, dismissing the rumors that had circulated among supporters since early September. Genesio faced a difficult opening stretch following a turbulent summer marked by extensive departures and a lack of squad reinforcement, culminating in five consecutive defeats across all competitions for the 17th-placed Ligue 1 side.

New Financial Cautiousness and Long-Term Transition Plans

Addressing the club’s future direction, Stéphane Richard outlined a shift away from high-risk financial reliance on European qualification, aiming instead for sustainable squad costs. I want to abandon that and achieve a situation where our sporting costs are manageable and do not depend solely on qualification for the Champions League, Richard told The Athletic, adding that rectifying the initial financial problems will require considerable time. This current campaign with Bruno Genesio operates as a transition year featuring virtually no spending and numerous sales, reducing reliance on owner Frank McCourt—who failed to properly monitor spending under Pablo Longoria before cutting off funds entirely during the summer.