At Olympique de Marseille, the transfer market is no longer measured in shiny names or brilliant moves, but in accounting lines. Despite eleven departures recorded for zero arrivals and a significant reduction in payroll, the Marseille club is far from being out of the woods. This is the warning from President Stéphane Richard who has drawn up a straightforward assessment: the period of financial recession is not over and the coming months still promise to be difficult.
Under joint pressure from the DNCG and European Financial Fair Play, OM has committed to a drastic austerity plan. The stated objective is clear: to bring the payroll below 100 million euros, compared to 160 million previously. If recent efforts have already made it possible to reduce it by 30 to 35%, the trajectory must still be refined before the crucial appearance before the financial policeman of French football in three months.
“We did a lot this summer. Overall, the workforce has been reduced, we have been able to achieve a very significant reduction in the payroll. Never seen before in the history of the club in a very short time,” thus underlined Stéphane Richard, the Olympian president.
Lowered emoluments?
To continue this budgetary deflation without relying solely on transfers, Marseille management has initiated a direct dialogue with the players under contract. Negotiations are underway to revise certain emoluments, several executives having agreed to enter into the financial support process desired by the club.
“There are still discussions being held with certain players that I salute. Some offered themselves spontaneously and others opened the door to participate in this war effort.e, continued the former leader of Orange.
The trajectory has been completely changed compared to the last two seasons. »
If this strict policy may worry supporters, the presidency wants to be reassuring about the commitment of the main shareholder. Frank McCourt remains closely involved and has also validated each arbitration linked to the transfer market.
“I talk to him a lot. He is very present in all the decisions we make, he followed the transfer window closely. Not only was he involved in the decisions, but he was the one who made them.” said Stéphane Richard again.
