Chris Waddle sees Marseille’s revival hinge on stability and new investors

On a breezy afternoon at the Stade Vélodrome, 65‑year‑old Chris Waddle watches the sea of sky‑blue and white as the current L’OM line‑up drills, recalling his own three‑year spell that made him an icon of Bernard Tapie’s dominant side between 1989 and 1992.

Waddle’s golden era

During that period, Waddle was described as “irresistible” in the sky‑blue and white shirt, a key figure of the “roller‑compressor” L’OM that Bernard Tapie had built. Although he never lifted the Ligue des champions in 1993, the former England winger helped forge the performances and reputation that defined Marseille’s golden age. His reputation rested not only on his mischief but also on a technique of remarkable finesse.

Even now, the former left‑winger, still a devoted follower of the Phocæens, told MadeInFOOT: “I love Marseille. I spent three years there and I adored the experience. I am therefore attached to the club and the supporters. They want to rival PSG, and Marseille is big enough to do so.”

He added that this season “started fairly well before hitting a difficult spell, but the team is regaining a good dynamic.” Waddle remains optimistic that the club can still string together victories and finish in the top three or top four.

Instability hampers progress

“Instability is also a problem,” he warned. “At each transfer window it feels like five players leave and five arrive. Marseille has not benefited from sufficient stability.” The lack of continuity, he believes, is a major obstacle to sustained success.

Waddle also noted the challenge of competing with clubs of a vastly larger dimension, yet he insisted, “It’s hard to see Marseille fight clubs that are of a completely different dimension. But I am convinced the club will eventually come back.”

He sees the club’s salvation possibly coming from “a new investor, a new shareholder or a new owner.” Quoting his hopeful vision: “One day someone will look at Marseille and say: ‘What a stadium, what a crowd! We could fill this arena every week and restore the club’s greatness.’ I hope to see that. Every year I think maybe this is the season things finally change – I’ve been crossing my fingers for a long time.”