Inside Roberto De Zerbi’s wild ride at Marseille, TV rows, European highs and a 2.35am exit | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille after 18 months, the club announcing it at 2.35am on Wednesday following Champions League elimination and a 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain. According to NY Times, the Italian’s tenure mixed European highs with internal flashpoints.

Just a fortnight earlier president Pablo Longoria had lauded his “genius” coach and talked up a long stay. Marseille have slipped outside the automatic Champions League places, with Lyon third and Lens hunting PSG.

Doubts first flared in November 2024 after a 3-1 home defeat by Auxerre, when he threatened to quit, before a 3-4-3 switch fuelled a strong run. February’s 3-0 loss to Auxerre preceded Longoria’s outburst at referees and a 15-game ban, and tensions resurfaced despite a late surge to second place.

A sweeping summer rebuild of 12 arrivals was followed by erratic form, including a dressing-room row that led to Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe being sold. Winter brought a penalties loss to PSG in Kuwait and Champions League late drama as Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the 98th minute.

In the final days, reports were denied, an assistant led one session as the club cited illness, and De Zerbi later insisted he had the strength to stay five or six years. After 2-2 at Paris FC, 3-0 against Rennes and 5-0 at PSG, talks with Pablo Longoria, Medhi Benatia and owner Frank McCourt ended in a parting. Jacques Abardonado now leads against Strasbourg on Saturday, with a 15-minute fan protest planned and McCourt due to attend.

Source: NY Times