Frank McCourt sidelines Pablo Longoria, keeps Medhi Benatia to rescue OM’s season and future | OneFootball

Frank McCourt has intervened at La Commanderie, refocusing Marseille on direct Champions League qualification and sidelining Pablo Longoria. Medhi Benatia will remain until season’s end and lead the hunt for a new head coach.

McCourt said in a statement that Longoria’s role should shift to institutional representation in French and European bodies, while Benatia would extend his notice to June. Longoria did not attend Tuesday’s training-ground address to the first team, where McCourt insisted the season was still salvageable.

Benatia announced his resignation on Sunday on social media, exposing tensions and prompting the owner to end internal squabbling. The priority is Champions League qualification to avoid heavy deficits in 2026-27, with McCourt unwilling to add to roughly €640 million invested since October 2016.

With the Miami pact broken and Roberto De Zerbi gone, McCourt has put finance before sentiment. Supporter anger has grown, from banners before the 2-2 draw with Strasbourg to graffiti targeting the hierarchy.

He told fan groups he will now seek a new boss for the club. Longoria is set to meet McCourt in the coming days to discuss his position and seek a respectful outcome.

Players have largely looked on, from newcomer Ethan Nwaneri, 18, on loan from Arsenal, to veterans Geoffrey Kondogbia and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. They have seen similar turbulence, notably in 2023-24 when Marcelino left after a heated meeting with supporter groups.

Source: L'Équipe