Genesio questions his future at Marseille after fourth consecutive defeat in Istanbul

Olympique de Marseille collapsed in Istanbul on Thursday evening, heavily defeated by Besiktas in their Europa League opener. After three consecutive losses in Ligue 1, this new disaster places Bruno Genesio in an increasingly precarious position.

The Marseille side had held firm until half-time, returning to the dressing room level at 1-1. But the second half turned into a rout, leaving the Marseille manager without answers for the media. “It’s difficult with four defeats in a row. It’s not necessarily what I dreamed of… There’s a questioning on my part, I can’t ignore that, since the first match, we haven’t managed to correct the errors,” he acknowledged.

Genesio pointed to alarming collective disorganization: “Our play is fading. We’re losing tactical organization. We’ve also undermined that with no protection of the defense. We’re not running together anymore.” Admissions that, in the current context, sound like a warning signal.

Consultant Daniel Riolo, present on RMC after the match, didn’t mince words. “I expected the defeat but it’s more than a defeat, it’s total disaster. It’s despairing, absolute nothingness. I don’t see a single positive point,” he declared, adding: “I wonder if I’ve ever seen an OM this weak. Frankly it’s bordering on ridiculous.” He also targeted individual players, judging Amine Harit and Himad Abdelli “invisible” and “useless”.

Riolo even considered the possibility of the manager stepping down: “I would understand if Genesio throws in the towel and says ‘stop, I won’t manage it’.” A hypothesis that the manager’s own comments don’t entirely rule out.

Marseille now hosts PSG on Sunday at the Vélodrome, a Classique that looms under the worst circumstances for a club in full crisis of confidence and results.