Married in Marseille, Longoria returns to the city that made him, away from River Plate turbulence

Pablo Longoria returned to Marseille on Friday morning, not to reconnect with Olympique Marseille but to celebrate his wedding. According to La Provence, the former OM president was received at the town hall of the Phocaean city, where he married a woman from Marseille.

This return comes just a few months after a turbulent separation from the club. Arriving in 2020 as director of football, Longoria had become president before leaving OM in March, following several weeks of internal tensions. Frank McCourt had gradually reduced his scope of action before a definitive separation agreement was reached between the two parties.

The 40-year-old Spanish executive then crossed the Atlantic. On April 29, River Plate announced his appointment as sporting director, with responsibility for coordinating the entire football project of the Argentine club. But the South American adventure proved immediately difficult. Longoria had to contend with a complex organizational structure, notably the presence of legend Enzo Francescoli, while his exact prerogatives quickly raised questions internally.

Results aggravated the situation. In early August, River suffered three consecutive league defeats, including a home loss to Rosario Central of Angel Di Maria (0-1), amid boos from the Monumental. Several decisions concerning the squad had also fueled criticism, placing Longoria at the center of controversy just a few months after his arrival.

It was in this pressurized context that the executive granted himself this Marseille break. Despite a turbulent end to his chapter with OM, his connection to the city clearly remains intact: professionally, Longoria now operates more than 11,000 kilometers from the Vélodrome; personally, Marseille has given him far more than a career.