Olympique Marseille (OM) president Pablo Longoria will be a member of the board of directors of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) for the first time, where he was the most voted coach (99%), on September 10. While French club football is marked by the fiasco of negotiations over television rights, the 38-year-old Spaniard shows his desire to “cooperate with other presidents to work on a new strategy” AND “improve the Ligue 1 product”.
Are you satisfied with Vincent Labrune’s re-election as head of the League?
First of all, there is a very clear situation: the LFP needs changes in its way of operating. This is what I discussed at length with Vincent Labrune and I consider that he was, for this reason, the best candidate. Following him meant moving in a direction where it was possible to change things more quickly. Now we must start working to achieve these advances and improve the situation compared to what we are experiencing today.
However, Vincent Labrune’s assessment has been widely criticised…
We are talking about the recent past, with the negotiation of audiovisual rights that put the LFP in difficulties. But there is a longer history and successes, such as the increase of the championship to 18 teams, the boost given to the clubs competing in the European Cups to reinforce their presence in continental competitions, or the agreement with the CVC investment fund, which made it possible to obtain the necessary money for the clubs. On the other hand, what I regret about this agreement is that there should have been a strategic plan with CVC to improve the Ligue 1 product, modernise the clubs, the stadiums, the infrastructure, etc.
The losing candidate, Cyril Linette, had suggested that he could be voted for because they were in favour of promotion from Ligue 1. Was that the case?
It is always good when people come to raise the debate and give food for thought, but I don’t like to talk about things I say in private. Some people have borrowed words from me that I didn’t say. The most important thing in this election was not the “who” but the “how”. To make the championship better. To make governance better. To make the clubs work together, with one voice. To improve the fan experience. We are living through a turning point in the history of French football and we need to set a strategy.
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