Marseille have no coach, no peace and no plan as they head to Amsterdam like lambs to the slaughter

Olympique de Marseille is facing a crisis just six weeks into the new season as coach Marcelino Garcia Toral has left the club, and the club's president, Pablo Longoria is reportedly considering leaving as well after an angry confrontation with supporters.

The club issued a statement indicating that the confrontation on Monday has created an environment that hinders the coaching staff's ability to do their job effectively. This situation has created uncertainty and instability at the club, and it remains to be seen how Marseille will address these issues moving forward.

Marcelino was particularly shocked by attempts of intimidation by some group leaders towards the management. It was clear on Tuesday morning the Spaniard wouldn't remain at Stade Velodrome - and the club confirmed his departure on Wednesday afternoon.

"In line with the statement released yesterday regarding the leadership team, Olympique de Marseille believes that the events of 18 September do not allow Marcelino and his coaching staff to perform their duties under suitable conditions. As a result of this regrettable situation, Marcelino and his staff will not continue their mission at Olympique de Marseille. Given the circumstances, the entire club is extremely disappointed to have to face the departure of a coach and coaching staff who arrived in Marseille in June and were fully committed to the club due to non-sporting reasons."

After Marcelino's departure, Jacques Abardonado became the interim coach of OM. Jean-Pierre Papin, rumoured to be the first candidate to take over the first team, is also part of the journey for Marseille's away match against Ajax in the UEFA Europa League opener on Thursday. However, the 1993 Ballon d'Or winner may not have the official status as an OM employee that would allow him to be on the bench. A former OM player, Abardonado was an assistant coach under previous coaches Jorge Sampaoli and Marcelino.

Jacques Abardonado played for OM alongside Robert Pires in 2000 (©AFP)

The violence, pressure and yet more changes at the once-great club produced a wave of disgruntlement and despair from many people who hold the club close to their hearts. As the former vice-president of OM following the club's financial troubles in 1995, Renaud Muselier has remained deeply attached to the club, regularly attending matches at the Velodrome. Therefore, the current president of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region could hardly overlook the crisis the club is currently facing without taking a stance. Muselier expressed his indignation on Twitter. He said many things average supporters and people living in the city of Marseille think.

"As a former vice-president of OM, I cannot accept for a second that club leaders and their families are intimidated and threatened with death. If they leave our city because of this, it is a dishonour for Marseille and French football and a victory for thugs!"

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1

Thursday

19.45: (8.50) LASK (5.60) Liverpool (1.32)

19.45: (2.15) St.Gilloise (3.50) Toulouse (3.60)

19.45: (3.40) Panathinaikos (3.50) Villareal (2.25)

19.45: (1.50) Rennes (4.40) Maccabi Haifa (7.50)

19.45: (3.60) Servette (3.50) Slavia Praha (2.15)

19.45: (7.00) Sheriff Tiraspol (4.10) Roma (1.50)

19.45: (1.15) Leverkusen (8.00) Hacken (16.0)

19.45: (2.50) Qarabag (3.45) Molde (3.00)

22.00: (2.85) Olympiakos (3.40) Freiburg (2.60)

22.00: (1.12) West Ham (10.0) TSC Backa Topola (16.0)

22.00: (2.60) Ajax (3.50) Olympique Marseille (2.85)

22.00: (1.20) Brighton (6.75) AEK (14.0)

22.00: (2.65) Rangers (3.35) Betis (2.85)

22.00: (1.50) Sparta Praha (4.30) Aris Limmasol (6.50)

22.00: (1.23) Atalanta (6.25) Rakow (13.0)

22.00: (3.90) Sturm (3.60) Sporting (2.05)

***odds are subject to change