Pablo Longoria makes way for Alban Juster at the head of Olympique de Marseille

He was in charge of Olympique de Marseille (OM) for five years, almost an eternity on the scale of a football club in constant excitement. Pablo Longoria was replaced as “chairman of the board” of the Marseille club by Alban Juster, OM announced: in a press release published on Saturday, February 28.

“At Olympique de Marseille for eight years, Alban Juster has until now held the position of general manager of finance and compliance within the club”OM specifies in its press release. Alban Juster is 36 years old.

Even if there is no official information pointing to the 39-year-old Spanish leader’s resignation, there is little doubt about his imminent departure, even if it is imminent, since the reorganization announced ten days ago by the club’s American owner Frank McCourt.

Deteriorated relations with Medhi Benatia

Football director Medhi Benatia, who had resigned a few days earlier, had agreed to stay in office until June. “manage all sports activities”. This decision was accompanied by a withdrawal of Longoria, whose relations with Benatia, which had long been very close, had deteriorated very markedly since the fall.

According to Frank McCourt’s press release, Longoria’s role – appointed president on February 26, 2021 – was to “Move towards its institutional responsibilities, to maintain the representation of Public Prosecution Service within French and European bodies”a withdrawal that is difficult for the manager to accept.

The Saturday evening appointee Alban Juster, little known to the general public, is being considered for his part “a man of confidence” of the supervisory board of the Public Prosecution Service, according to a source within the club. He served as interim manager of Longoria when he was suspended last season after a spectacular massacre against the French referees.

When he arrived at OM in 2017, he was primarily responsible for management control, before becoming director of financial operations or administrative director of HR and finance.

“A phase of transition”

Regarding the appointment of Alban Juster, the Public Prosecution Service explains that this is the case “is part of an interim organization that takes the time to take the necessary steps to search and appoint a new chairman of the board”. The search is also underway for the position of sporting director, with Benatia not expected to stay beyond June.

“The club’s board now consists of Alban Juster, Alessandro Antonello and Benjamin Arnaud, with the latter having been appointed board member”OM also explained. Alessandro Antonello is the club’s general manager. Benjamin Arnaud is general secretary.

“We are in a phase of institutional transition, organized and controlled”assured the Sunday newspaper Shéhérazade Semsar de Boisséson, Vice President of the Supervisory Board of OM. “Initially the priority is to guarantee the stability of the club on a sporting level”she added.

Because the crisis that Public Prosecution Service is experiencing is not just about governance. After a series of poor results, which hastened the departure of Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, OM, woefully eliminated from the Champions League, is now down to four^e of the French Championship.

And on Sunday, with their new coach Habib Beye on the bench, the Marseillais host Lyon, who are five lengths ahead of them and occupy three places.^e places and qualifies directly for the Champions League.