[R_Warner]

Info:

Console: PC
Game: Football Manager 2010

Team Info

Team: Olympique de Marseille
Established: 1899
Nicknames: OM, Ohaime, Marseillais, Les Phocéens
Team Colors: White and Blue
Stadium: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille [Capacity: 60,031]
Location: Marseille, France
Chairman: Jean-Claude Dassier
Ligue 1 Titles: 9
Coupe De France Titles: 10
European Titles: 2 (Intertoto Cup Winners 2005 and European Champions League Winners 1992-1993)

[R_Warner]

Deschamps Heads Back To Italy
31st May, 2010


Deschamps led Marseille to a Ligue 1 Title in 2009

Olympique de Marseille have confirmed reports that the teams manager Didier Deschamps has taken up the chance to move back to Italy to manage the current European and Serie A champions Inter Milan after their manager Jose Mourinho moved to Real Madrid earlier this week.

Deschamps joined Marseille in May 2009; he managed them to their first Ligue 1 title in 18 years and also made it a league/cup double when his Marseille team lifted the French League Cup in 2009. Deschamps had made it clear before taking the role here at Marseille that his dream would be to move back to Italy to manage after his stint with Juventus in Serie B.

Marseille chairman Jean-Claude Dassier has calmed the immediate search for a replacement manager in today’s press conference; he had this to say;

“We will not be in a rush to find our next manager; Didier did a fantastic job with the team last season and has left us with a matured outfit here. With the World Cup under two weeks away it would be unfair for us to unsettle any manager currently in a job or out of one.”

The newspapers this morning put the pointing finger towards recently sacked former Real Madrid and Villareal boss Manuel Pellegrini also two other names were mentioned those of former Manchester City and Blackburn boss Mark Hughes and France and Manchester United legend Eric Cantona have all been linked with this open role.

[R_Warner]

Last Updated: Monday, 31st May 2010, 6:00pm

Cantona Rules Himself Out


By Sam Newton

Can anyone blame him? Apart from a few months in charge of France’s National Beach Soccer team his managerial expertise has not really been put to the test at any level other than that. The pressure on him for success from both the board at Marseille and the fans of the club would be tough for any manager to handle, even one with the experience of Sir Alex Ferguson.

After newspaper reports brought up his name as a possible manager for the current Ligue 1 Champions, Eric Cantona thought it would be right of him to take his name out of the hat before it even enters;

“It is nothing personal, the chance to start my managerial career at a top European Club would be a dream come true, but for me personally now it is not only not the right time but also a lot of other important things come in the way of such talk” speaking today outside Old Trafford’s Megastore.

The former Manchester United captain has made it quite clear that he not only wants no part in the talks as the new manager of the French side.

[R_Warner]

Bilic Interested In Marseille Role
1st June, 2010


Bilic currently holds the role of the Croation National team.

Slaven Bilic has admitted that he is interested in joining Olympique de Marseille. Bilic’s Croatian team failed to qualify for the 2010 Fifa World Cup from a group that contained England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra. Bilic confirmed his interest in the Marseille job today when interviewed about Croatia’s future objectives, he had this to say;

“My objective now as the manager of Croatia is really to decide about the future and understand the lengths and depths of why we didn’t qualify for this year’s World Cup. However at this present time I also need to decide on my future here, I have two years left on my contract but I also have my own goals I want to achieve on a club level. You asked if I would be interested in the job at Marseille after you reported them in the news, well the answer to that would be a yes.”

Bilic also hinted that Olympique de Marseille is also interested in taking him, Bilic said;

“They had a great season, Marseille are an enormous club, a club that wants the same as me; I want to win, I want to never stop winning and that is also the goal at Marseille.”

[R_Warner]

Marseille unveil Slaven Bilic as their new coach
7th June, 2010


Bilic signs a three year deal.

Slaven Bilic has been unveiled as the new manager of Olympique de Marseille after signing a three-year deal at the club.

The 41-year-old replaced Didier Deschamps, who moved to Italian side Inter Milan last month. Bilic has moved to France after Marseille and the Croatian football board agreed a compensation package.

The Croatian born manager has managed at the highest level already. The National Team coach rankings have long recognised Bilic as the second best national team manager in the world, behind Dunga of Brazil. Bilic was Croatia’s youngest manager of all time and in 2008 he became the youngest manager to lead a national side to the knockout stages of a major competition when he took Croatia to the Euro 2008 competition.

Marseille President Jean-Claude Dassier said: “It’s an honour to have one of the most prestigious coaches in the world here with us today.”

“The best thing for our club right now is to have Slaven here with us; he has the same goal in football that we want for this club. Slaven will have money to spend on players this summer if he chooses”

This post has been edited by R_Warner: 31 May 2010 - 11:48 AM

[R_Warner]

Marseille step up chase for Afellay

Published: TODAY

Olympique de Marseille have stepped up their chase for PSV star Ibrahim Affelay, according to reports from PSV Director Jan Reker.

New Marseille boss Slaven Bilic was in Holland last weekend to watch the Croatian side he used to manage play the Netherlands in a world cup warm-up; there he got to see 45 minutes with Affelay in the squad. The 23-year-old had an outstanding season last year and it is clear that for the right price PSV could be tempted to sell the Holland International.

“For the right price maybe.” Mr Reker said

“At this present time we have held talks with the officials at Marseille but no official offer has been sanctioned to this point now.”

[R_Warner]

Afellay becomes first capture
7th June, 2010


Afellay today after passing medical.

Ibrahim Afellay has expressed his excitement after completing his move to Ligue 1 giants Olympique de Marseille. Afellay had been linked with a move from PSV to Chelsea all year but after missing out on Marouane Chamakh to Chelsea, Marseille were not going to let Afellay head the same way.

“For me this is a really big chance to prove myself on a bigger European scale and when the word came that I could join Marseille it was such a relief because I have wanted a move for a season now and now I feel was the right time to move” the 23-year-old said as he was presented to the French media.

Afellay has agreed a four-year deal with Olympique de Marseille for a fee reported in the region of £4m. Afellay added that he had enjoyed his time with PSV and the club will remain in his heart for as long as he lives but the lack of European football was the main reason he wanted a move.

"It just wasn't the place for me anymore, as any player will tell you winning trophies and playing for your country are the two biggest achievements anyone can have and neither were happing regularly at PSV. I want to cement a future place in the National squad a I feel I have a better chance to do that here than anywhere else."

This post has been edited by R_Warner: 31 May 2010 - 01:47 PM

[.Jay]

Nice use of photoshop to complement the story telling- keep it up.

[R_Warner]

Jaygull, on 31 May 2010 - 08:29 PM, said:

Nice use of photoshop to complement the story telling- keep it up.

Thanks, I have had some stories that haven't worked, but I am really enjoying this Marseille game.

[R_Warner]

Marseille linked with a move for Babel

Published: TODAY

Olympique de Marseille are in talks with Liverpool over a possible £9m move for Ryan Babel. Ryan Babel who joined Liverpool in July 2007 from Dutch side Ajax for £11.5m and since that move he has failed to cement his place in the first team at the Merseyside club.

Marseille are reported to want to add another Dutch international to their squad to ease the pressure on their new signing Ibrahim Afellay who currently speaks no French. However at this present time neither club has commented on the matter although it is understood that both clubs have spoken to each other this week.

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[R_Warner]

You must be joking?
12th June, 2010


Ryan Babel not on his way to Marseille according to Liverpool boss Benitez.

Marseille’s offer for Liverpool’s Dutch striker Ryan Babel – believed to be around £7.5m is far too low to even start any talks according to manager Rafael Benitez.

“At that price, you must be joking” said Benitez

“We signed Ryan for a reason and it wasn’t to sell him for less than what we paid for him. I can tell you know Liverpool will not be selling Ryan this summer for any price. He is too valuable to club and will play an important role in this team’s success next season.”

Marseille manager Slaven Bilic has denied an involvement in the current talks between the two clubs;

“This is a matter out of my hands now, I have told the board who I want and how much I would offer and that is that, it is now down to both clubs to work on a deal if one can be made great, if it can’t then it can’t”

With Ryan Babel at the World Cup with Holland, the talks between the two clubs, the player and the player’s agent will take a major stall. It could be at least two-three weeks before more news on this saga.

[R_Warner]

Updated: June 12th, 2010
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Marseille sign Mexican wonderkid.


Marseille have captured the signing of Mexican Dos Santos.

Olympique de Marseille have agreed terms with Barcelona in the respect of signing Mexican wonderkid Jonathan Dos Santos for a fee of £1.2m, Jonathan the brother of current Tottenham player Giovani Dos Santos is reported to be “estatic” with prospect of playing in Ligue 1.

Dos Santos, 19, can play in the centre of midfield as well as be used as a replacement right back but he favours the attacking midfield role. Jonathan becomes the second capture of Slaven Bilic reign at Marseille.

Jonathan has already represented his country at the U21's level and there have been reports he may be included in this year’s World Cup Squad.

This post has been edited by R_Warner: 07 June 2010 - 08:49 PM

[R_Warner]

Offical: Marseille tracking Babel
14th June, 2010


Marseille are tracking Liverpool's Ryan Babel.

Olympique de Marseille have made the first move in a bid to secure the signature of Liverpool’s Dutch international Ryan Babel and the French club want the deal done before the end of this transfer window and hope to have it done prior or at the end of this years World Cup.

Marseille are coming off one of their best seasons and the French side are more eager to add to their ranks this summer than they have been before. New manager Slaven Bilic has lodged an offer of £9m for Ryan Babel with confirmation of the bid from both clubs.

The 23-year-old joined Liverpool from Ajax in the January transfer window in 2007 for a reputed fee of £14.5 million and currently has been in and out of the Liverpool first team since joining.

“There has been a bid of £9 million, however we are not willing to open talks until the end of this year’s World Cup” Liverpool Director Phillip Nash on the matter.

The report from goal.com also claims that Marseille will be willing to part with more money for Babel if he can perform at this year’s World Cup.

[R_Warner]

Updated: June 15th, 2010
________________________

Marseille sign Djalo.


Marseille have captured the signing of Yannick Djalo.

Yannick Djalo has joined Olympique de Marseille from Sporting C.P for a fee of £1.1 million; a fee that could rise to £3 million after the two clubs reached an agreement over the striker. The 23-year-old striker becomes the third capture of Manager Slaven Bilic’s time at Marseille.

The 24-year-old striker was brought up through Sporting’s prolific youth system; he made his first division debut in 2006. Since 2006 Djalo has scored 17 goals often coming off the bench in times of need to find the net. Djalo has been an ever-present figure, up front or on the wings for Sporting and just before the end of last season he netted a hat trick in the 5-0 win over Rio Ave FC.

Djalo is reported to be “Excited” by this move, a move which will allow him to focus on gaining experience in Europe’s top competition the Champions League.

This post has been edited by R_Warner: 07 June 2010 - 08:49 PM

[.Jay]

Shrewd signings, but who are Marsaille?
Great start, looking forward to the season start with your new, youthful team.

[R_Warner]

Jaygull, on 07 June 2010 - 07:31 PM, said:

Shrewd signings, but who are Marsaille?
Great start, looking forward to the season start with your new, youthful team.

It is lucky one of us is awake . I hope that the "Younger" team will work, if not the money I have will be spent on Veterans.

[R_Warner]

Offical: Marseille complete the signing of Babel
16th June, 2010


Ryan Babel is now a Marseille player.

Olympique de Marseille have completed the signing of Liverpool’s Ryan Babel in a £9.0m deal.

The 23-year-old Dutch attacking midfielder/striker has agreed a four-year contract as Marseille boss Slaven Bilic continues his spending spree at the club. This deal has been on and off for over three weeks with both clubs reporting different things, however many believed this deal wouldn’t be done before the World Cup kicks off let alone four days into it.

Ryan Babel will complete his move officially after the World Cup; however club officials at Marseille flew out to South Africa in order to run a medical and announce the deal to the press, Club Manager Slaven Bilic is currently in South Africa and was there today for Ryan’s medical he had this to say.

“He is an impressive player in the right system and I feel that I can make our team play well enough to allow Ryan to show his full potential something that really wasn’t working at his previous club. It was important for us to understand what he wanted and it was also important for him to know what we expect for him and I feel he can handle what we have in the prospect for him.”

Ryan Babel who was given a conditional leave from the Dutch training camp in order to complete a medical and a contract signing had this to say today;

“I listened to them and I had a great feeling inside, yes it was tough to leave a club like Liverpool but I made my choice with my heart and my head at the same time, I knew it was time for me as a professional to move on and talking with other players I am close with I came to the decision that moving from Liverpool to Marseille was in fact not much of a difference in class just a difference in the way the football is played.”

[R_Warner]

Updated: July 1st, 2010
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Dos Santos set to join Roeselare on loan.


Dos Santos joined Marseille for £1.2m.

Jonothan Dos Santos, the 19-year-old prospect of the future has agreed to join Belgium side KSV Roeselare on a season long loan deal. Dos Santos signed last month for a fee of £1.2m from Barcelona. After showing signs during the pre-season here at Marseille the clubs manager Slaven Bilic has utilised the link with the Belgium side.

“It will help him mature, he knows it will be good for him and we feel a year in Belgium will help him not only to grow as a player but to feel the difference in game speed.” Slaven Bilic

Dos Santos has made two appearances this off-season for Marseille scoring two goals.

"I am looking forward to it, the chance to play football in Belgium will help me in my chances for a place in the squad here at Marseille next season" Dos Santos

This post has been edited by R_Warner: 14 June 2010 - 09:25 PM

[.Jay]

Great photoshop for Babel.

[R_Warner]

Jaygull, on 15 June 2010 - 10:25 PM, said:

Great photoshop for Babel.

Thanks man, more to come.