Pablo Longoria did not wait for the pandemic to practice physical distancing in the stadiums.
He likes to watch the matches in silence, alone, to stay focused on the game. But the Spaniard may be disturbed this Sunday evening, during OM-OL (9 pm).
Even behind closed doors, there will be many courtiers in the Velodrome basket.
All want to attract the good graces of the new Marseille president.
Seven months after his appointment as sports director, he is at the head of the club.
The divorce between Jacques-Henri Eyraud and Marseille supporters prompted owner Frank McCourt to make the thirty-something his new president.
Is he the man who will manage to bring some calm back to the craziest club in French football?
Does he have the shoulders?
The 34-year-old OM president is younger than captain Steve Mandanda (35).
He has a very good career as a recruiter but was only sporting director for two years, at Valencia then at OM.
Since his arrival in Marseille at the end of July, "he has managed to bring in interesting players, such as Milik or Lirola, and has reduced the payroll with the departures of Strootman and Mitroglou", we applaud internally.
"At least, he will focus on the essential: the professional team and the sporting aspect," notes a connoisseur of the club.
It makes a huge difference compared to Jacques-Henri Eyraud.
But it will be a first experience and you never know how it can turn out.
"
"He can't do worse than Eyraud, because he knows football well," adds another expert in the mysteries of Olympians.
But a source close to the locker room is worried: “To be president, you need much more than technical knowledge of football.
Does he master the economic, legal, development at the national and international level?
"
What is his method?
Pablo Longoria is a hyperactive, almost gifted, able to watch dozens of games and study entire spreadsheets to find a player likely to sign.
He sees himself as a “geek” but also likes to observe the behavior of players off the field.
In the office, he is a formidable negotiator, able to demonstrate diplomacy but also to decide on the spot.
With his right-hand man David Friio, he is in the process of restructuring the recruiting sector and some licensees describe a “brutal” management.
“He is very nice but he can seem cold, defends him a figure of OM.
He doesn't talk a lot because he doesn't want to talk to say nothing.
»Grégoire Kopp really enjoyed working with the Spanish prodigy.
"He knows the codes and the world of football better than anyone," noted the former communications director when he was still at the club.
His speeches are clear, precise and measured.
He never says more than he wants to say, while getting his messages across.
"
How will he deal with Jorge Sampaoli?
The entourage of the future coach of OM appreciated the fluidity of the exchanges with Pablo Longoria.
The two men have diametrically opposed personalities, but they have the same native language, which naturally facilitated the discussions.
Moreover, Jorge Sampaoli knows that he is one of the very first choices of Pablo Longoria.
After realizing that Maurizio Sarri would not come to Marseille, Pablo Longoria made the Argentinian his priority.
He praised, in private, this technician with an offensive profile, capable of advancing the young Marseille shoots.
His bloody character does not worry the new boss, who wanted above all a coach capable of producing a show, "so that the supporters feel represented in the philosophy of the coach".
Will he calm the supporters?
Pablo Longoria is short, his face is babyish, and he wears top-of-the-class costumes.
However, on January 30, when the Commandery was invaded, the sports director was on the front line to prevent a bunch of excited people from attacking the players.
He will now have to renew the dialogue with groups of supporters delighted to have obtained the head of Jacques-Henri Eyraud, but always vigilant.
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“The threat of a breach of the convention is still there, recalls Christian Cataldo, boss of Dodger's.
We're going to talk with Pablo Longoria and especially with Frank McCourt, but Hugues Ouvrard
(Editor's note: the general manager) has to get
out!
The first meetings will be crucial.
“Above all, he must not sell them dreams, warns Guy Cazadamont, former director of security.
But if Longoria is skillful in his words, I think they will trust him.
"At least a few months ...
