OM: Frank McCourt's much-anticipated statement

He doesn't speak often, and people hang on his words when the ship rocks. With 24 hours to go before a Vélodrome that needs to become our fortress again, Frank McCourt fired off a crystal-clear message: "I express my support and my full confidence in Pablo Longoria, Medhi Benatia and Roberto De Zerbi in their mission in the service of the club." 

The timing is no accident. A week of turbulence, a heated dressing room, debates catching fire — and the boss chooses to publicly back his leadership trio. Then he hammers home the path to follow: "Management (of the club) rests on fundamental values: humility, discipline, respect for others, for hierarchies and for the institution, principles that enabled the club to meet its objectives over the past year" — without mentioning the altercation, but setting the frame.

Finally, he brings everything back to the pitch — where our joys and our anger play out: "On the eve of a major season, domestically and in Europe, everyone must put themselves solely at the service of Olympique de Marseille and do what it takes to win on the pitch." Message received: the club above all else, and that's that.

In the stands, McCourt is slated to attend OM–Paris FC. A mere detail? Not really. Seeing the owner in the stands is often a marker: you own it, you put yourself out there, you demand accountability — and you provide it. At a time when the stadium's roar can change everything, that signal matters.

So, strong signal or panic in disguise? Let's be frank: we've seen lukewarm statements. This one sets a framework and names the men. It doesn't wash away frustrations, it doesn't erase the questions, but it draws a line: support for the decision-makers, a reminder of values, demand for results. The rest is for tomorrow, on the pitch, in front of us all.

Like it or not, we know what we want: good football, guts, and three points. The tone is set, the floodlights are ready, the roar is too. It's on us to turn the Vélodrome into a cauldron. Allez l'OM!