Marseille fans' patience wearing thin

Marseille supporters are in no mood for excuses. With the club going through the worst start to a season in decades, frustration boiled over during the classic against PSG on Sunday, with clear protests directed at Frank McCourt's project.

The ghost of the "Champions Project"

It all began with ambitious promises. When the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired the Provençal club in 2016, McCourt unveiled an ambitious revitalisation plan, committing to inject 200 million euros over four years. The idea was straightforward: restore Marseille to the top of French football and establish them among Europe's elite.

A decade later, fans see those aspirations turned to fiction. The banners displayed at the Stade Velodrome summed up the general feeling: "2016: Champions Project. 2026: Ligue 2 Project? McCourt Out." The message was clear and cutting — the trajectory pointed towards the second division, not the promised success.

A terrifying losing streak

The defeat to PSG (2-1) marked the fifth consecutive loss across all competitions. But there is something even more troubling: it is the first time in history that Marseille has strung together four defeats in the first five games of a top-flight campaign.

The numbers speak for themselves. Despite considerable investment in different players over the years, the club has failed to find stability or consistent results.

The barrenness of the summer transfer window

This summer proved particularly frustrating. After failing to qualify for the Champions League — which cost millions in revenue — Marseille found itself financially constrained and unable to strengthen the squad. New manager Bruno Genesio inherited a team with limited options, in a position that was practically impossible.

The contrast with the golden era

To make matters worse, fans cannot forget past glory. Marseille was the first French club to win the Champions League in 1993 and dominated French football between the late 1980s and early 1990s. The championship title has not been theirs since 2010, and the last trophy dates back to 2012.

Meanwhile, PSG, backed by Qatari investors since 2011, has won back-to-back European titles — a stark contrast that only amplifies the sense of decay being experienced on the poorer side of Ligue 1.