Marseille overperformed under Andre Villas-Boas in 2019-20 as they finished second in Ligue 1, and they were unable to repeat that trick this time around, instead coming in fifth to secure a Europa League berth next term.
Given the limited investment in the squad, which was already rather thin, and the packed schedule that the club faced, it should be no surprise that they found the going difficult in the early months. Indeed, they broke the record for Champions League defeats in succession, which was humiliating, but at least they impressed in the league, grinding out victories as they did last season.
When the results in Ligue 1 stopped coming, though, the tension ratcheted up and ultimately Villas-Boas quit in January over the signing of Olivier Ntcham a day after the training ground had been stormed by fans.
New life was brought into the side by Jorge Sampaoli, which bodes well for next season. He lost just two of the 11 games he oversaw. OM were much more direct and more energetic in their play.
Florian Thauvin will depart, but his influence was not as significant last term as he would have wished, with Dimitri Payet important but Arek Milik, who joined in January, absolutely key. Marseille’s most important work this summer will be keeping the Poland striker, but after finishing joint top scorer with 10 goals in 16 games, that promises to be a challenge.
Meanwhile, there will be a midfield overhaul, with too many players not contributing enough in that area, including Michael Cuisance, while Boubacar Kamara is their most sellable asset after another strong campaign. Valentin Rongier was quietly excellent.
In defence, too, there will be changes. Pol Lirola is a loan player Marseille will seek to keep as he brought much needed dynamism out wide, which would surely have been more effective had Jordan Amavi been fit. In the centre, meanwhile, Duje Caleta-Car was the star man, while Alvaro Gonzalez was often hot headed. Long-time first-choice goalkeeper Steve Mandanda had a mediocre campaign.
If Marseille are invested in smartly, they could make a big stride in the summer. The raw materials for a good team are there, but it needs help to bring it together.
