Shaky leadership and unsettled squad as OM count the cost of Cup exit | OneFootball

Marseille’s Coupe de France exit to Toulouse has deepened uncertainty on and off the pitch, leaving a likely trophyless season and urgent decisions ahead.

L'Équipe reports that two weeks into the job, the coach has already lost one of Frank McCourt’s two targets, a trophy in May, leaving only a Ligue 1 podium bid with OM 4th. Facundo Medina said the group feel hurt, must be honest and take responsibility.

Ownership direction is unclear, vice-chair Shéhérazade Semsar-de Boisséson exerts control, interim president Alban Juster stays low profile, Mehdi Benatia is due to leave in June, and the coach is under strain. Pablo Longoria’s departure is being negotiated.

A squad built for the Longoria-Benatia-De Zerbi axis is adrift. Mason Greenwood, close to the Italian, has one open play goal in a month plus Wednesday’s penalty, is contracted to 2029, and 35 to 40% of any fee would go to Manchester United.

A move to the Gulf is possible. Geronimo Rulli and Geoffrey Kondogbia, contracted to 2027, are not discussing extensions, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 36, 2027, and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, 30, 2028, might not continue.

Ethan Nwaneri missed the final kick and will return to Arsenal. Options for Benjamin Pavard at Inter, €15m, and Arthur Vermeeren at Leipzig, €20m, cannot be triggered. Jeffrey De Lange went from No 1 to dropped while renewal talks were planned.

Himad Abdelli, signed to June 2030, struggled on his full debut and was withdrawn at half-time. Angers added a €750,000 bonus, payable only if he plays at least half of Champions League minutes and wins the tournament in a season. For next season, names in the frame include Nayef Aguerd, Facundo Medina with a mandatory Lens option, Emerson, Igor Paixão, Quinten Timber, Timothy Weah, Hamed Junior Traoré with a near-mandatory option, and Amine Gouiri, although sales could still change that.

Source: L'Équipe