Official | Stéphane Richard named president of Olympique de Marseille by Frank McCourt | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille owner Frank McCourt convened the local press today at the Stade Vélodrome in order to officially announce the nomination of former Orange CEO Stéphane Richard as club president. In barely 24 hours, it was announced that the American owner would appear in a press conference attended by Get French Football News. It was the first time he appeared in front of the press since his own conference when the Bostonian became Marseille owner back in 2016. Richard, who has over 30 years of experience in the world of business in France and lived in Marseille for a period of his life officially follows Pablo Longoria. The Frenchman will start his duties as president of OM following a transitional period which will end on 2nd July. “Marseille needs a strong leader, with executive experience – particularly at this moment in time when there are so many challenges in French football,” said Marseille owner McCourt at the Vélodrome on Friday morning. “It’s not an easy moment in French football, so I needed someone who knows Marseille very well, someone who’s lived here with strong executive experience, proven experience, someone who appreciates what OM means to Marseille in this entire country.”“It is an honour and a great emotion for me to be named president,” said the former CEO during his presentation press conference. “The club is at a crossroads, since the start of 2026 it has been complicated on the pitch,” added Richard. “The supporters are an essential part of the club, we need to have dialogiue, the club needs to pacify the environment around it.”GFFN | George Boxall – reporting from Stade Vélodrome, Marseille