After less than a quarter of the season gone, many experts would suggest that it's premature to get carried away with the recent success of Marseille but it also depicts an image of change and revolution that occurred at the club in recent times. Many eye-brows were raised this summer when Olympique De Marseille appointed the highly controversial coach, Marcelo Biesla. The fiery and charismatic character was given the hot-seat at the Stade Vélodrome when Jose Anigo departed the club following a disappointing season in France’s top division.
During the 2013/2014, the club failed to register a single point in the UEFA Champions League group stages, and club’s season involving European football was cut short before Christmas. This further added to the ongoing rumours of lack of tranquility and enormous hostility throughout the squad.
The former Argentina, Chile and Athletic Bilbao coach became the first Argentine manager of the nine time Ligue 1 winners when president Vincent Labrune confirmed the appointment of Bielsa despite his temperamental character. Despite harmony evidently lacking in the squad last year, Labrune felt that Bielsa’s astute attention for detail and formidable man-management attributes would be the key to the future success of his beloved Marseille.
A student of the game despite being the frightful age of fifty-nine, Bielsa has been previously known to collect videos of the game to the point of obsession. An editor and analytical observer of the game, Bielsa has showcased the ability to move with the times when necessary to further enhance his side’s development.
Described famously as “a genius” by former player, Fernando Llorente, it came as no major surprise to many of his closest allies when Pep Guardiola described him as the “best manager in the world” in 2012 following Athletic Bilbao’s Europa League run which seen them narrowly lose a closely contested final to Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid.
Unbelievably, Ligue 1 champions PSG are lumbering around the Champions League places following reports of unrest and a split dressing room following the treatment of individual players. Ironically, it was Marseille who finished the season in sixth place in Ligue 1 after a troubled year which seen two managers during the course of the season before president Labrune came calling for highly-rated Bielsa to take the club further and achieve the success of a Ligue 1 title for the first time in four years.
The club seen no major changes this summer with only three players departing the club with two coming in. Michy Batshuayi joined for a reported €8million whilst Marseille born Romain Alessandrini joined his boyhood club. However it was Bielsa’s inherited players that have proved to be obtaining the success of the coaching practices of the man from central Argentina. Florent Thauvin, André-Pierre Gignac and André Ayew have re-established the form and promise they showed when they first signed for the sky-blues.
We may still have thirty-one games left, teams with larger squads and with greater dept than Olympique De Marseille will be seen as favourites for the title. It wouldn't be fair to state that not many have the tactical awareness and a squad as close and united as Marcelo Bielsa has assembled together. The performances and promise this season have only showcased the fact that Marseille are indeed relishing under the guidance of the man from Rosario. Logic would fail to see last PSG should their season be turned around, however should Bielsa achieve Ligue 1 success this year, it will be no doubt down to the fortitude and insight of Marcelo Bielsa.