OM's new President, Jean-Claude Dassier, gave us his exclusive first interview. He explains that he is coming to "rally everyone together, as a man of unity and a man of harmony". He will arrive in Marseille to take up his functions tomorrow.
How are you feeling now that you have been named President of Olympique de Marseille?
I’m feeling very proud, I can’t deny it, and there is a lot of emotion as well. This morning (Monday), I said farewell to my comrades at TF1 where I have spent 22 years. At the same time, I now have an exciting and important project. There is a lot of responsibility involved. Marseille are the biggest club in France as far as I’m concerned. I’m not just saying that for the sake of it. For me, this is a reunion as I spent a lot of time in Marseille and at OM during Bernard Tapie’s era. I didn’t miss many matches. I’m not going to hide the fact that I am emotional. President of Marseille, is a huge job.
It’s taken a few days to make your nomination official, what happened?
A lot of things were said, we all know about the sports media and the passion that OM generates. There were probably too many statements made, maybe some things were exaggerated and there were the normal difficulties in the fact that I was contracted to TF1, the situation wasn’t as simple as it appeared. All of that proves that OM are number 1 in the hearts of the French people and the supporters. It’s quite reassuring really.
Born on the 24th of July 1941 in Paris, Jean-Claude Dassier started his career with France Inter in 1965 as their traffic correspondant. After the events of May 1968, he joined Europe 1 where he spent 17 years as the head of the news department. In 1987, he integrated TF1. The channel was privatized and Jean-Claude Dassier was named Director of operations and sport. He also, very quickly, became vice-president of Eurosport. Later on he would occupy the role of vice-president of LCI and director of operations at TF1 before a promotion to General Director of LCI in 2000 then Director of information at TF1 in 2008.
How is the sports sector going to work?
Obviously José Anigo is there as Director of football and Didier Deschamps is the manager, I think that they make a good team. I will try and help them as much as I can. I’m there for just that and haven’t arrived with any sort spirit of revenge. I’m here to try and rally everyone together, as a man of unity and a man of harmony.
If there have been any misunderstandings or unfortunate declarations, we will clear them up: what I want, is that the team that is in place at the moment, plus the reinforcements that will arrive over the coming weeks, put in an even better performance next season. If we can move up just one place I will be the happiest of men. We must be united behind the interests of the club. That, is all that matters.
« Everyone needs to pull together, so that the club can continue to forge ahead as Pape Diouf had it do. We have to do even better next season»
Can you confirm that Jean-Pierre Bernès will not be joining the club…
Of course, I have had a long discussion with him. Frankly, as far as I am concerned Jean-Pierre Bernès is also part of OM’s greatest era, alongside Bernard Tapie and others. It was the heyday of OM and I wanted to get back to that, but if that poses a problem that I was not aware of, then let’s forget about it. Jean-Pierre was the first to agree with that feeling. The only thing is, he has a great reputation within the game, he is very competent, he is the agent and friend of Didier Deschamps and he will help us out wherever he is and however he can. I don’t doubt that for a second.
He is not persona non grata at OM, his ability and his knowledge of football will be of great use to us. His and that of others. I will repeat it: everyone needs to pull together, for God’s sake, so that the club can continue to forge ahead as Pape Diouf had it do. We have to do even better next season.
When will you be arriving in Marseille to take up your functions?
I will be there tomorrow (Tuesday) and I will be getting to know the ins and outs of the club. When I came beforehand, it was just to the stadium. I have to visit the headquarters, get to know the staff and visit La Commanderie. I will see all that I need to see, even if it is only to say hello and I will give a press conference. Antoine Veyrat, who will obviously be staying with us, is coming up to see me in Paris this afternoon and we will talk. Everything is looking great.
I will, of course, be meeting up with the different supporters groups. They are the bedrock of the club and when you are lucky enough to have supporters like we do in Marseille, it is clear that they are essential. I have to go and introduce myself, talk with and listen to them. That’s the first priority of my visit tomorrow. I’ll also have to find myself somewhere to live in Marseille, in the meantime I’ll be staying at the hotel as I will be spending a lot of time in Marseille.
I’m not here for the sun, even if it is magnificent and I have always adored it. We don’t have a lot of time and we need to do all that we can to kick-off the new season in the best possible manner for all involved.
