Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Shane Guiliano
Guest(s)
Release Date
7 September 2023
Duration
64 min
In this gripping episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by Shane Guiliano to explore one of the most dramatic and polarising eras in modern football — the rise and fall of Olympique de Marseille (1989–1993).
At the centre of it all was the club’s enigmatic owner Bernard Tapie — a businessman, politician, and showman whose ambition propelled Marseille to unprecedented heights. Under his leadership and the tactical genius of Raymond Goethals, OM became a European powerhouse, blending French flair with ruthless efficiency. Their success culminated in 1993, when Marseille defeated AC Milan in Munich to become the first French club to win the European Cup.
Yet beneath the glory lay turmoil. The VA–OM bribery scandal, doping allegations, and political intrigue soon engulfed the club, stripping away titles and credibility. Tapie’s empire crumbled, Goethals retired in disillusionment, and French football’s greatest triumph became its greatest cautionary tale.
This episode dissects the duality of Marseille’s greatness — brilliance on the pitch and chaos off it. From Jean-Pierre Papin’s goalscoring elegance to Didier Deschamps’ leadership and Basile Boli’s iconic header in the 1993 final, the discussion revisits the triumphs that defined an era, while examining the moral questions that still linger 30 years later.
Was this the greatest French club side ever assembled — or football’s most controversial champions?
Takeaways
Marseille became France’s first and only European Cup winners.
Bernard Tapie’s ambition built greatness but sowed scandal.
Raymond Goethals’ tactical mastery was years ahead of its time.
The VA–OM scandal remains one of football’s most infamous.
Marseille’s triumph defined the paradox of brilliance and betrayal.
Olympique de Marseille 1993: Triumph and Turmoil
Between 1989 and 1993, Olympique de Marseille were the kings of Europe — and the villains of France. Backed by the ruthless ambition of Bernard Tapie and guided by the brilliance of Raymond Goethals, Marseille built a side capable of beating anyone.
Their peak came in 1993, when Marseille defeated AC Milan 1–0 in Munich to become France’s first European Cup winners. With Basile Boli’s powerful header, Deschamps’ leadership, and Papin’s finishing legacy, OM reached football’s summit. But beneath the glory lay darkness.
The VA–OM bribery scandal erupted soon after — accusations that Tapie’s officials bribed opponents to conserve energy before the final. The fallout saw Marseille stripped of their domestic title and banned from defending their European crown. Doping allegations and political intrigue deepened the scandal, turning triumph into tragedy.
Yet the football endures: Waddle’s flair, Abédi Pelé’s genius, Desailly’s strength, and Goethals’ tactical nous created a team as unforgettable as it was controversial. Marseille 1989–1993 were visionaries and villains, champions and cheats — a paradox that defined European football’s most complex dynasty.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Bernard Tapie’s ambition and control over Marseille
Raymond Goethals’ tactical brilliance and man-management
The 1993 European Cup triumph vs AC Milan
The bribery scandal and aftermath
Doping rumours, media fallout, and Marseille’s legacy
Marseille’s 1–0 victory over AC Milan in the 1993 European Cup Final
Basile Boli’s decisive header in Munich
Floodlight failure controversy vs AC Milan (1991)
The VA–OM bribery scandal and Tapie’s downfall
The stripping of the 1992–93 Ligue 1 title
Marseille’s ban from defending their European crown
Notable Manager
Raymond Goethals, Gérard Gili, Franz Beckenbauer
Notable Players
Jean-Pierre Papin, Didier Deschamps, Basile Boli, Rudi Völler, Abédi Pelé, Marcel Desailly, Chris Waddle, Fabien Barthez, Jocelyn Angloma, Alen Bokšić, Éric Di Meco, Franck Sauzée
Style of Play
4-4-2 Formation, Tactical Discipline, Compact Defence, Counter-Attacking, Wing Creativity, Set-Piece Strength
Under Raymond Goethals, Marseille perfected a pragmatic yet fluid approach, blending technical artistry with tactical steel. Typically lined up in a 4-4-2, OM emphasised compact defending, rapid transitions, and positional discipline — a hybrid of Belgian efficiency and Mediterranean flair.
At the back, Desailly and Boli formed a physically dominant pairing, screened by the industrious Didier Deschamps, whose leadership and anticipation anchored the midfield. Out wide, Chris Waddle and Abédi Pelé provided creativity and unpredictability, drifting centrally to overload defences while full-backs overlapped.
In attack, Jean-Pierre Papin was the lethal finisher — his trademark volleys and instinctive movement defining the “Papinade” — while Rudi Völler’s intelligence and experience added balance. Goethals’ system prioritised control: suffocating opponents without the ball, then striking with surgical precision once possession was regained.
The 1993 European Cup campaign showcased this balance perfectly. Against AC Milan’s defensive machine, Marseille combined composure with aggression — closing space, maintaining shape, and capitalising on set pieces. Basile Boli’s header was not just a goal, but the embodiment of their identity: structured, powerful, and efficient.
Their football was not always beautiful, but it was brutally effective — a reflection of Tapie’s ambition and Goethals’ intellect. Marseille’s style bridged eras, setting the blueprint for future Champions League winners who blended artistry with authority.
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