Marseille's Ten-Year Anniversary of Ownership

Ten years after Frank McCourt acquired Marseille, the club is facing scrutiny over its sporting and financial performance. The anniversary has not been marked with celebration, as the club continues to deal with financial and sporting challenges.

Financial and Sporting Struggles

The club has faced red accounts, frequent protests from fans at the Vélodrome against McCourt, and no titles since his purchase in 2016. Despite an estimated 800 million dollars (710 million euros) invested, the "OM Champions Project" slogan has been largely forgotten.

McCourt's Perspective

McCourt's camp insists on "unwavering support" for the club, noting that other clubs might have welcomed such an owner. However, the American shareholder has declared a recession and expressed dissatisfaction with the management of Pablo Longoria.

Financial Performance

Despite sporting struggles, Marseille has seen improvements in its finances. Overall revenues have increased by 70% over ten years, with ticket sales doubling and sponsorship revenues rising by 250%. The OM brand has also grown, ranking 26th in the world in 2025.

Sporting Achievements and Criticisms

The club has made some progress in youth development, women's football, and community engagement. However, the first team's struggles have overshadowed these achievements. Despite qualifying for the Champions League three times, results have not met the club's ambitions.

Criticism from Former Player

Eric Di Meco, a former Marseille player, criticized McCourt's record as "catastrophic." He noted that despite heavy investment, the club has not won titles and has struggled in Ligue 1. Di Meco dismissed the excuse of PSG's dominance, stating that other clubs have won during this period.

Uncertain Future

McCourt has not publicly addressed the anniversary, with his advisors stating he will speak when he has things to announce. The club's future remains uncertain, with speculation about potential buyers and McCourt's continued involvement. The most important match for Marseille may be whether McCourt makes the right decisions and finds a financial partner to relaunch the club.