Pablo Longoria Sparks Turmoil at River Plate After OM Tenure

Pablo Longoria left his role as president of Olympique de Marseille in March 2026 after five years marked by high spending that left the French club in a precarious financial state. Two months later he was appointed director sportif of Argentine side River Plate.

His arrival has provoked widespread criticism from journalists, supporters and club officials. Commentators such as Andres Burgo and Leo Uranga question his lack of experience in Argentine football and the rationale for his hiring. River Plate president Stefano Di Carlo has described Longoria as an employee rather than a leader.

Longoria’s strategy to cut the wage bill involved removing 15 players from the squad overnight. Many of those players remain without new clubs while still receiving salaries, and a physical altercation was reported in which Longoria allegedly grabbed a player by the collar and attempted to strike the club’s sporting director. The controversy adds to the ongoing turmoil surrounding both River Plate and the legacy of Longoria’s tenure at Olympique de Marseille.