Various sources (RMC Sport, L’Équipe, AFP, etc.) agree this Wednesday: Olympique de Marseille and Marcelino hit each other in the hand. The 57-year-old Spanish coach is set to take over from Igor Tudor, even though he was only third choice behind Marcelo Gallardo and Paulo Fonseca. This does not mean that he does not have his supporters at OM, on the contrary.
We can already imagine the happy face of Pablo Longoria, president of OM, when he presents Marcelino to the press. The manager worked with him in Valencia between 2018 and 2019. He fell in love with him. “I can never be objective because he is a friend, confided Longoria to the Marca newspaper last November. He can achieve anything he wants and he will be very good. He can accomplish any job he takes on with his dedication, intelligence, skill and very clear ideas.”
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The former midfielder that he is has never left his native country, whether during his playing or coaching career. But he did it well. From Gijon to Santander via Zaragoza, he cut his teeth in Spanish D2 before joining prestigious clubs in 2011: Sevilla FC, Villarreal, Valencia then Athletic Club. He returned to Bilbao in May 2022. “I will no longer accept the fact of having a coach who does not speak French at the end of the season”, warned Longoria 2 weeks ago.
See you in unknown territory for Marcelino. Despite his more than 1,000 matches combined as player and coach, the native of Villaviciosa, in Asturias, has never set foot in France. He has however coached 36 meetings in the Europa League and 6 in the Champions League, without ever crossing paths with a tricolor club.
Forget Igor Tudor’s three-man defense. Marcelino is (a bit) old fashioned. The Spaniard likes the classic 4-4-2, he appreciates traditional wingers even if he has adapted. “I don’t think we will continue to play with individual marking,” said Longoria. That’s good: Marcelino prefers the area.
The Spaniard is not a fan of intense pressing as advocated by Tudor, even if he seeks, like the Croatian, a constant verticality, an aggressive play forward. Overall, Marcelino is not known for “an attacking game” as Longoria recently claimed for the future of OM. It remains to be seen how he will adapt to the workforce already in place.
It’s a fact, Marcelino didn’t win much. But the teams he coached weren’t really designed for that. Elected coach of the year with Valencia in La Liga 2017-18, he won the King’s Cup there the following season. He also lifted the Spanish Super Cup with Athletic upon his arrival in 2021, paying for Real Madrid then Barça. In Europe, his Europa League semi-finals with Villarreal (2016) and Valencia (2019) remain his best careers. In Marseille, he will find a club that has been waiting for a trophy for eleven years.
