Grégory Lorenzi faces early tests at OM amid budget squeeze and coaching call | OneFootball

Grégory Lorenzi is set to take charge of OM’s sporting direction after a decade at Brest, with confirmation still pending. According to L'Équipe, he will confront immediate challenges around the club’s environment, finances, squad planning and the choice of a new head coach.

Opinion is split on his suitability. Some doubt his natural authority and the jump from Brest, while others argue he is ready, pointing to composure, clarity and a refusal to overpromise.

Before facing Rennes on Sunday, OM could still reach the Europa League, the Europa Conference, or miss Europe entirely if they finish seventh and Nice beat Lens in the Coupe de France on 22 May. Missing the Champions League has already hit revenues, with the competition bringing about €50m this season, excluding gate, softening losses but not preventing another deficit, expected to be smaller than the record -€105m in 2024-2025 under Frank McCourt.

Austerity looms under incoming president Stéphane Richard. Lorenzi, who spent €54m across 10 years at Brest against OM’s outlay roughly twice that this season alone, will not have Benatia’s budget and may need quick moves before 30 June amid UEFA scrutiny and DNCG pressure.

Early tasks include handling returning loanees such as Meïté, Cornelius and Maupay, potential exits for top earners, and sales of senior figures. Offers have already arrived for Quinten Timber and Igor Paixao, both signed from Feyenoord, while Mason Greenwood and Leonardo Balerdi are among the most valuable assets who could be cashed in.

A lively window is likely, testing a recruiter known for value deals and late moves. A first major call will be the coach, with Beye set to leave after missing targets. Preferred profiles are French and elite-ready, with Bruno Genesio and Christophe Galtier discussed, and free agent Adi Hütter also mooted, while Galtier is under contract to 2027 at Neom, ARS.

Source: L'Équipe