A new right arm for Pablo Longoria. As expected for several days, Javier Ribalta has been appointed director of football for Olympique de Marseille. The 41-year-old Spaniard has worked for several major clubs such as AC Milan (recruiter, 2009-2011), Juventus Turin (recruitment director, 2012-2017) and Manchester United (recruitment director, 2017). -2018). He also held important positions at Zenith Saint Petersburg (sporting director, 2018-2019).
On the Canebière, Javier Ribalta will find Longoria, president of the club with whom he had collaborated at the Bianconeri: “During his time at Juventus Turin, from 2015 to 2017, Javier was able to team up with Pablo Longoria by forming a duo combining modernity, methodology and experience in the field of recruitment. Gathered again, this time at the direction of the Marseille club, the Spanish leader will be responsible for overseeing the club’s entire sports policy.“, reads the official press release of the club.
David Friio takes the lead
In addition, David Friio, technical director of the club, becomes sporting director. “He will ensure the relationship between the management and the professional group as well as the management of the scouting teams», Specifies the Marseille team. It is therefore a real restructuring that Olympique de Marseille is carrying out. Will it bear fruit?