Marcelino calls his time at Marseille "more than traumatic" after just four training sessions

Marcelino did not mince words when discussing his brief spell in charge of Olympique de Marseille, between July and September 2023. In an interview with Spanish daily Marca, the coach described this period as “more than traumatic,” even going so far as to call it a “non-experience” given how short his time on the Marseille bench was.

Chosen to succeed Igor Tudor on the recommendation of president Pablo Longoria, with whom he had already worked at Valencia, Marcelino ultimately directed only four training sessions before the situation fell apart. Elimination from the UEFA Champions League against Panathinaikos in the third qualifying round accelerated events, followed by a tense meeting between club management and representatives of supporter groups — a meeting the coach did not attend, but whose conclusions were relayed to him by the board.

“What happened at Marseille is difficult to assess, because we didn’t even have the full squad yet,” he explained. “The team that was fourth drew against the third, and then it was chaos. Then the coach left with the president, who was himself about to leave. It’s completely illogical and contrary to what a coach always seeks, namely stability.”

Marcelino also acknowledged his share of responsibility in his decision to join the club. “Sometimes, due to certain circumstances, we didn’t analyze the situation thoroughly enough,” he admitted, highlighting the “constant conflicts” that the Marseille institution faces on a recurring basis.

Since leaving Marseille, the former Villarreal coach returned to that same Spanish club before leaving again a few months later. He is currently without a position and seeking a new project.