Stéphane Richard officially spoke this Friday as the new president of Olympique de Marseille, appointed by Frank McCourt, who was presented as "A man of great values, an asset to Marseille"The former CEO of Orange, aged 64, will take up his duties on July 2, succeeding Pablo Longoria, who was ousted from the presidency in February after five years at the head of the club.
"The place where two passions of my life converge"
From his very first words, Stéphane Richard expressed his deep attachment to Marseille and to OM. "A very emotional experience." Then he developed the personal connection that unites him with the city and the club: “OM is a bit like the place where two passions of my life converge: Marseille and football. Football is perhaps less well known. With my parents, I settled in Marseille when I was about ten years old, I did my studies there. (…) I have kept strong ties with this city, my home is here, I know this city intimately.”
Defining himself as "a footballer", an enthusiast having "Followed all the club's epic journeys"Stéphane Richard summarized his appointment as "A kind of dream job"He also emphasized what OM represents in the city of Marseille: “I know what OM represents. The whole city thinks and breathes for OM. I’m a football fan, I’ve followed all the club’s epic journeys. Bringing my two loves together, Marseille and football, is a kind of dream job.”
"Qualifying for the Champions League is crucial for the club's future."
Aware of the delicate context in which he arrives, the future president did not hide the magnitude of the task. “I am aware of the challenge. The club is facing multiple challenges. Everyone can see that we are at a crossroads. Qualifying for the Champions League is crucial for the future of the club. We need to resume dialogue with the supporters. We also need a form of appeasement. I like this mission, I enjoy this exercise.”
Fourth in Ligue 1 before hosting Metz this Friday evening, OM is experiencing a turbulent season, marked by the departure of Pablo Longoria and then, a few days earlier, that of Roberto De Zerbi, replaced by Habib Beye. Stéphane Richard intends to create a more serene atmosphere around the club.
"A period of seriousness, calm and stability"
"I want to embody a period of seriousness, calm, and stability."he stated. He explained that he wanted to put in place... "a transitional structure" with Medhi Benatia and Alban Juster, who had been serving as interim president since Longoria's departure.
His guiding principle is clear: “My priority is to represent stability for this club and to reconcile everyone: the fans, the players… I know the economic constraints. There is no sustainable model in the long term without this seriousness. I will try to be a one-man band. We will have to make good decisions on recruitment. The immediate objective is to secure a place in the Champions League.”
"To place OM in the small group of European clubs"
Beyond the immediate sporting challenge, Stéphane Richard has also set a more ambitious course for the future of the club: "The ambition is clear: to establish OM among the select group of European clubs that are destined to play in the Champions League every year, and therefore to be in the top 3 of the French league. It's not just a question of resources. Look at what's happening in Liverpool… Football isn't just about money."
