OM: "Make the small effort," Di Meco's plea to McCourt not to waste the season

Di Meco urges McCourt to avoid selling key players this winter and instead focus on securing Champions League qualification to resolve OM's financial crisis.

Marseille have recovered from a difficult start to the season, winning five consecutive Ligue 1 matches and climbing to fourth place after a 2-1 victory at Lens on Sunday. Despite significant financial constraints that limited summer recruitment, the club is now firmly in the Champions League race.

Former Marseille defender and 1993 European Cup winner Eric Di Meco has advised owner Frank McCourt that securing Champions League qualification at the end of the season is the key to resolving the club's financial difficulties. "The club has struggled financially and lost at poker in recent years," Di Meco said on RMC's Super Moscato Show.

"If you're in the top 3-4 of Ligue 1 at the winter break and sell three players, I bet you won't make the Champions League. You have to make the small effort."

Di Meco warned that selling important squad members during the January transfer window could jeopardise OM's push for European football, which would bring both revenue and the ability to retain and develop players. Marseille face Le Mans at home on 22 November before hosting Levski Sofia in the Europa League on 26 November.