Stéphane Richard starts early at Marseille, balances dual roles before three July | OneFootball

Stéphane Richard, 64, has begun work at OM ahead of his official three July start to accelerate key close season tasks, L'Équipe reports.

Splitting his days between OM and his advisory banking role until 30 June, he attended the final three home games and travelled to Le Havre on 10 May. After OM v Rennes on 17 May he presented awards to Mason Greenwood, the supporters' player of the season, and Leonardo Balerdi for his 200th appearance.

He visited La Commanderie on 27 April, then with interim president Alban Juster sanctioned Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on eight May over the fire extinguisher incident. He addressed staff at the new headquarters on 11 May. He has chosen Grégory Lorenzi, previously at Brest, as sporting director, while the head coach decision remains open.

Early this week he flew to Côte d'Ivoire to work on the tourism ministry partnership launched in 2023 under the Sublime Côte d'Ivoire banner, which could be extended by three years if conditions are met. He cites strong links from his Orange days and also met Didier Drogba in Abidjan, with a view to reconnecting a club great in future.

Renaud Muselier, president of the Sud region for a few more months, has voiced confidence in Richard's experience, independence from McCourt and ability to bring stability. Richard says the role spans human, political, financial, managerial, legal and international dimensions. Friends from his Marseilleveyre schooldays, he adds, have been inundating him with opinions for a month.

Source: L'Équipe