What was the nickname of the most praised player on the 2002-2003 Olympique de Marseille team?
2002–03 Olympique de Marseille season Olympique de Marseille almost won the French League for the first time in 11 years, having a remarkable run to third place, having only scored five goals more than it conceded. The most praised player was central defender Daniel Van Buyten, who was able to tighten up the defence, and also helping out with scoring several important goals. Without Marseille's goalscoring woes, it could have sustained a more serious title assault. Therefore it signed late-blooming starlet Didier Drogba from En Avant Guingamp, a move that was set to be among the best financial deals in the clubs' history.
2000–01 Olympique de Marseille season Olympique de Marseille was once again forced to fight for its top-flight survival following a dire season, in which the club almost went bankrupt, despite the expensive sale of Robert Pirès to Arsenal. Former Spain national team coach Javier Clemente was sacked following the poor run of results, and his replacement Tomislav Ivić just saved Marseille from relegation.