Marseille Appoint Former Orange CEO Stéphane Richard as New President
Olympique de Marseille have confirmed the appointment of Stéphane Richard as the club's new president, succeeding Pablo Longoria. According to reports from La Provence, owner Frank McCourt has chosen the former chief executive of telecommunications giant Orange to lead the Ligue 1 side. The official announcement is expected to be made at a press conference on Friday morning.
Richard's appointment, which has been under consideration for several weeks, marks a significant shift in the club's leadership structure following the official departure of Longoria at the end of March. The 63-year-old French executive brings a background in high-level business and politics rather than direct football administration. He is a graduate of the prestigious HEC Paris business school, a former chief of staff to politicians Jean-Louis Borloo and Christine Lagarde, and currently sits on the supervisory board of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille.
The move signals McCourt's desire for a different profile at the helm, opting for corporate and political experience as Marseille seeks stability and growth. The club has endured a turbulent period on and off the pitch, with frequent changes in the dugout and executive suite hindering long-term planning. Richard's immediate task will be to provide a steady hand and a clear strategic direction, working within the financial framework monitored by French football's financial watchdog, the DNCG.
His in-tray will be full, with key decisions required on the sporting project and the future of football director Mehdi Benatia, whose role is now under scrutiny according to reports. McCourt is said to have settled Benatia's future as part of this wider restructuring. The new president's lack of a direct football background will raise questions, but his local port connections and managerial experience at a major French corporation are seen as assets for a club aiming to solidify its commercial footing and modernize its operations.
The departure of Longoria, who was instrumental in player recruitment, leaves a considerable void. Richard's success will likely be judged on his ability to appoint the right sporting leadership to navigate the transfer market and build a competitive squad for coach Jean-Louis Gasset. For McCourt, this appointment represents a definitive step in reshaping the club's hierarchy after a period of reflection, aiming to finally align the club's ambitious project with consistent results both in Ligue 1 and in European competition.
