Marseille to redefine roles for Jean-Pierre Papin and Fabrizio Ravanelli | OneFootball

Following a gruelling 2024–25 campaign despite securing second place in Ligue 1 and a return to the Champions League, Marseille are initiating a major internal restructure — one that will reshape the roles of two high-profile figures at the club: Jean-Pierre Papin and Fabrizio Ravanelli.“There’s a way of meddling in others’ affairs that I haven’t seen anywhere else in the world,” said president Pablo Longoria during his end of season press conference attended by Get French Football News. “It’s a disease, and I want to eradicate this disease.”That damning statement captured a sense of internal unease, and underlined a summer of change — one now being driven by football director Mehdi Benatia, according to L’Équipe.Fabrizio Ravanelli will remain at the club in his institutional and sporting advisory role. Originally tasked with media-facing duties and welcoming new signings, the Italian maintained close ties with Roberto De Zerbi’s staff. That connection is understood to have caused friction in the latter half of the season.

Jean-Pierre Papin’s future is being redrawn after a fiery spell in charge of OM’s reserves. His long-running dispute with Ali Zarrak — now Benatia’s assistant — came to a head last autumn, though Papin did see out the season on the bench.

OM have decided to promote Romain Ferrier, who arrived as Papin’s assistant in December, to take charge of the reserves for 2025–26. L’Équipe report that Papin is currently in discussions with Longoria over a new role, likely to be symbolic rather than operational.Despite the friction, Longoria is keen not to sever ties with iconic former players. However, the Spaniard remains determined to reinforce a sharp divide between the club’s sporting and administrative branches.L’Équipe that a formal presentation of OM’s new internal structure is expected within the next ten days.GFFN | George Boxall