Jacques-Henri Eyraud has long practiced taekwondo.
But it is a principle of judo that he has applied since it was contested by OM supporters: to use the strength of his opponents.
"The more the Ultras criticize him, the more it will comfort him", recently confided a member of the first circle.
In private, Jacques-Henri Eyraud assures that wiping the anger of the fans “is part of the job.
"It is served: the protest of the Vélodrome groups, which began in winter 2018, is stronger than ever, with the culmination of the invasion and incidents at the training center last Saturday.
In a (rare) press release published on Wednesday, the six groups of supporters assure that they will continue their “fight” as long as they have not obtained his departure.
They criticize the "ignorance of football" of the former Disney communicator.
“Marseille supporteurism was very divided, but it rallied against the policy of Jacques-Henri Eyraud, analyzes historian Sébastien Louis, specialist in the Ultra environment.
On several occasions the rulers have succeeded in dividing and ruling.
This is no longer the case, and, therefore, its medium-term position is no longer tenable.
"
"He's not going to let go because the boat is pitching"
But will Jacques-Henri Eyraud agree to leave?
“He could leave the club with a nice check and take a year's vacation,” says Patrick Chêne, who worked with him for nine years at Sporever.
But he's not the kind of guy.
He is courageous and tenacious, he is not going to give up because the boat is pitching!
"
Officially, Frank McCourt still trusts him.
In his latest press release, sent last Sunday, the American businessman assures us that “JHE” is still responsible for “cleaning up and straightening out the club”.
According to an adviser to McCourt, the two men “have a very frank, very direct relationship.
Jacques-Henri has all the support of Frank.
"Jean-François Richard, former director general of OM, believes that it would be" very surprising for Frank to change managers in the midst of a crisis ".
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“With McCourt, they form a real tandem, they are united,” says Richard Caillat, member of the board of directors of the OM Association.
To the great misfortune of the revolted supporters.
Guillaume Barthélémy, spokesperson for the Yankee, believes that “no one can have the head of JHE.
He would rather die than leave.
"
Michel Tonini's group, removed from the Vélodrome by Jacques-Henri Eyraud in June 2018, is part of the fan base.
The emblematic René Malleville is also.
“Eyraud is in the same situation as Jean-Michel Roussier
(Editor's note: forced to resign in 1999)
.
But he's not leaving, sighs the Vélodrome veteran.
We do not understand that he remains, it becomes untenable for everyone.
"
At the town hall too, we are starting to let go of the Marseille president.
Deputy Samia Ghali, who met the fan groups on Tuesday, seems to be on their side: “I told Mr. Eyraud that we should organize a round table to calm things down.
I have not had the shadow of an answer.
Maybe he doesn't mind that it's fire?
"And the former socialist senator to get annoyed:" When we have the town hall of Marseille which asks for a discussion, we are not ignoring it.
"
"OM is not just a business"
Mayor Benoît Payan has just added a complex subject to the pile of files piling up on the OM president's desk.
The town hall wants to sell the Vélodrome stadium.
"Eyraud may have been the right interlocutor for a while, but to take this new step, you may need someone different," sketches a former politician.
He believes that Jacques-Henri Eyraud has handled the anger of the supporters very badly: “He should finally understand that OM is not only a business, but also a passion that drives thousands of people.
"
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Very pragmatic, even “cold” according to former collaborators, Jacques-Henri Eyraud is often described as a man with whom it is difficult to negotiate.
"He hates contradiction, launches a former employee.
He is brilliant but he lacks humility.
And he's never in the dealership.
This is how the divorce was consumed with the supporters.
Jacques-Henri Eyraud may have deepened the gap that separates them, last weekend, by criticizing "OM of the shenanigans". The Ultras have not digested this spike against their untouchable "boss" Bernard Tapie. Richard Caillat tries to justify this awkward exit: “He receives a huge load of aggression. But I find him very calm and always listening. This close to JHE believes that he draws his "coolness" from his "practice of martial arts". Obviously, the president is still in the ring for a while.