At OM, the name of Fabrizio Ravanelli is one of those which made a whole generation of supporters dream at the end of the 90s. Returning to Olympique de Marseille this summer as institutional and sporting advisor of the Marseille club, Ravanelli recalled during an interview for Free Foot the process of his transfer to OM while Manchester United had gone out of their way to secure his services.
A few weeks before his arrival at OM in the summer of 1997, Fabrizio Ravanelli was courted by many English clubs. Author of a full season Middlesbrough in 1996/1997 with 34 goals scored, Radishes was wanted by the elite of Premier League. Whether Liverpool, Tottenham or even the big one Manchester United of Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Ferguson’s Manchester United tried every way to buy me”
During an interview with Free Foot, Fabrizio Ravanelli returned to the XXL soap opera around his future in the summer of 1997.
“I honestly never thought I would come to OM because a lot of teams were rooting for me. Liverpool, Tottenham, I played at Middlesbrough and scored 34 goals in the season. Everyone wanted me to stay in England to play in a big team. Ferguson's Manchester United tried every way to buy me. President Gibson wouldn’t let me go to Manchester.”
“I never thought one day I would wear the OM jersey”
The leaders of theABOUT were then able to take advantage of the golden opportunity represented by Fabrizio Ravanelli on the transfer market. And it didn't take long to convince the Italian striker to sign for theMarseille Olympic once discussions have started between the parties concerned.
“I never thought I would one day wear the OM jersey. When I had the opportunity to speak at the time with President Jean-Michel Roussier. The owner was Robert Louis-Dreyfus with his idea of football and my discussions with my coach Rolland Courbis, I immediately understood that OM had the intention of making a great team and trying to be champion of France by trying to recruit great players in the transfer window. It immediately made me understand to make the decision to come here to Marseille.”
