“It’s a sort of dream job.” Those were the opening words of Stéphane Richard as he was formally presented as the new president of Olympique de Marseille on Friday morning at a press conference attended by Get French Football News. Handpicked by owner Frank McCourt, the former Orange CEO will officially take up his role in early July – succeeding Pablo Longoria following a turbulent end to the Spaniard’s five-year tenure.
Speaking at the Stade Vélodrome, Richard immediately struck an emotional tone, describing his appointment as both an honour and a personal milestone. “OM is where two passions of mine come together, Marseille and football,” he explained. Having moved to the city as a child and maintained strong ties ever since, Richard made clear that his connection to Marseille is not superficial. “I know this city intimately,” he added, presenting himself as both an insider and a lifelong follower of the club’s fortunes.Following the departures of Longoria and head coach Roberto De Zerbi, replaced on the touchline by Habib Beye, Marseille find themselves fighting to secure Champions League qualification while attempting to stabilise their institutional structure.“There is a dialogue to rebuild with the supporters. We need a form of appeasement,” he insisted. “This mission appeals to me.” His emphasis on reconciliation suggests a deliberate shift in tone, with the incoming president positioning himself as a figure capable of calming tensions and reconnecting the different strands of the club. Richard spoke of ushering in “a period of seriousness, calm, and stability,” signalling a desire to move away from the volatility that has characterised recent seasons.GFFN | George Boxall – reporting from Stade Vélodrome, Marseille.
