‘Why have they brought us Joe Biden?’ – European giants FUME at controversial appointment

Robin Bairner

• 22 Feb 2024 12:43 GMT
• 2 min read

Crisis is never too far away at Ligue 1 club Marseille, and the decision to part company with Gennaro Gattuso and replace him with a coach compared to US President Joe Biden is not one that has won acclaim from the fans.

Gattuso became the second Marseille coach to leave the club this summer after Marcelino lasted only a matter of weeks into the season.

The Italian was jettisoned after a run of one win in nine games. That sole victory – the only one that OM have achieved in 2024 – came against amateur opponents in the Coupe de France.

But fans are not entirely happy with the alternative.

Marseille moved quickly to appoint 70-year-old boss Jean-Louis Gasset into the post until the end of the season. The veteran has a history of being Laurent Blanc’s highly successful assistant with Bordeaux, France and PSG, but has never held a post of this magnitude.

“What’s going on at this club? Why have they brought us Joe Biden? This club is too much,” L’Equipe quotes one fan as stating.

The Biden reference is telling. Marseille are owned by American Frank McCourt, who promised much success that has never been sustained.

Indeed, OM have been entirely unable to retain the most successful and popular coaches, with Marcelo Bielsa, Andre Villas-Boas and Jorge Sampaoli all departing just as it seemed that some positive momentum might be building.

“Gasset knows Ligue 1, he is experienced,” another fan says. “Age doesn't mean anything... For me, with Gasset, we will finish fifth or sixth in L1 and be European next season.”

A third added: “I have enormous respect for Gasset, we can see what Laurent Blanc looks like without him. He has the charisma of an oyster, less prestige than others, but at least he doesn't have an oversized ego.”

Beyond the issue of the coach, though, Marseille’s board are under fire due to a poor performance in the transfer market, despite a relatively substantial spend, while a public war between sporting director Mehdi Benatia and Jonathan Clauss was an embarrassment during the January transfer window.

Joe Biden might just be the least of OM’s problems.