September 21 – Olympique Marseille manager Marcelino (pictured) quit Wednesday after just three months in charge, with a club spokesman bemoaning a “deplorable situation” on the eve of their Europa League clash with Ajax.
The Spaniard only took over in June but leaves amid an ongoing feud with supporters, some of whom reportedly threatened officials during a feisty meeting between fans’ groups and club staff on Monday, attended by Marseille president Pablo Longoria
“… Olympique de Marseille considers that the events of Sept. 18 do not allow Marcelino and his technical staff to carry out the role for which they were hired in good conditions,” Marseille said in a statement.
“As a consequence of this deplorable situation, Marcelino and his staff will not continue their mission at Olympique de Marseille.
“In view of this situation, the entire club is extremely disappointed to have to deal with the departure of a coach and technical staff, who only arrived in Marseille on June 23 and were fully committed to the club, for non-sporting reasons.”
“The OM directorate cannot accept personal threats. Its members cannot tolerate individual attacks and any form of unfounded public defamation.”
Marseille are actually unbeaten in five league matches this season, in fourth place just two points behind leaders Monaco. But they failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage after being knocked out in the third qualifying round by Panathinaikos.
It is unclear who will be in charge for the game against. Ajax which precedes a trip to arch-rivals and defending French champions Paris St Germain at the weekend, the biggest game in the country domestically.
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