‘I have the strength to stay at Marseille’ – Roberto De Zerbi speaks out after reports of resignation | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi cut a tired figure in his pre-match press conference which took place over a zoom call from the French National team’s training base in Clairefontaine. Les Olympiens had been rocked by reports that the Italian manager’s position was under threat yesterday, until De Zerbi confirmed to L’Équipe late last night that he had not handed his resignation. This was after OM were knocked out of the Champions League by Brugge on Wednesday evening.“I am still here, I’m now here before you – that is the truth,” said De Zerbi at a press conference attended by on Zoom by Get French Football News. “Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia, we spoke last night. We got together to try to find the best possible solution. This match is also partly my fault.”“There is nothing to confirm,” said De Zerbi when asked if he was going to stay until the end of the season. “I was manager of Marseille, and I still am now.”When asked if he still has the passion to succeed with OM, the Italian added “I think I have the strength to stay at Marseille for six or seven seasons, it’s not a question. What annoys me is the defeat – it’s not a question of passion but a feeling of powerlessness to lose in that manner. They are defeats which stay with you, we have the force to get ourselves back up like we have multiple times last season.”Marseille travel to the capital tomorrow to face Paris FC, before hosting Rennes in the Coupe de France midweek ahead of a Classique clash back up at the Parc des Princes next Sunday.GFFN | George Boxall