The 1950s are quite complicated for Olympique de Marseille. OM scores far below expectations in the first division. Worse, the Provencal club even knows relegation to the second division for the first time in its history. OM then stalls for three years in the second level of French professional football.
During the 1957-1958 season, OM had a very bad season and missed going down to D2. But the Marseillais barely flee by finishing 16th in D1 on the last day thanks to the goal-average to the dismay of Metz, who are relegated. Unfortunately, OM is only delaying the inevitable because Marseille will fall to D2 a year later.
20TH IN D1
In the summer of 1958, players like Gunnar Andersson or Roger Scotti left the club and the team was completely redesigned by President Saby Zaraya to give it a new lease on life. But the sauce does not take and OM, led by Louis Maurer, finish 20th in D1 in 1958-1959. The players Phocéens are also eliminated the Coupe de France against Perpignan (D2) in January 1959. The Marseille club is then relegated to the second division at the end of the season and will know the hell of D2 . OM faces teams like Cannes, Roubaix, Alès, Montpellier, Aix, Lille, Troyes ...
DOZEN ARRIVALS IN THE SUMMER OF 1959
Les Olympiens, under the command of Lucien Troupel, is reinforced with a dozen arrivals in the summer of 1959. OM gets off to a good start by winning six straight matches between the second and seventh match days of D2 . During the season, Sbroglia, Braizat, Corazza and Moresco arrive at the club while Fischbach and Boulle leave OM.
Despite the promising start, the Marseillais are out of breath and do not go back to the first division finishing in 10th place in D2. The results of Troupel's men are inconsistent. Able to win against leaders Nancy on the 35th day (2-1), the Marseille lost the last three games against Rouen (2-0), Lille (3-6) and Sète (1-0). Olivier finished top scorer in the league (21).
Olympique de Marseille narrowly missed promotion the following season finishing in sixth place. It was necessary to wait for 1961-1962 to see OM to reach its objective. OM finishes fourth and rediscovers the elite of French football!
