De Zerbi: ‘Klopp is right’ about coaching, Maldini ‘taught me ethics in football’ | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi says the Milan youth sector and Rossoneri legends, including Paolo Maldini, taught me ethics in football’ but admits Jurgen Klopp is right about coaching: ‘It’s a heavy job.’

Marseille coach De Zerbi spoke to Corriere della Sera about his life and career, starting with his time in the Milan youth sector as a footballer.

De Zerbi: Milan’s academy a real school

UDINE, ITALY – MARCH 18: Paolo Maldini, Technical Director of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at Dacia Arena on March 18, 2023 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Milan’s academy was a real school,” he said.

“Maldini, Baresi, Tassotti and all those great players taught me ethics in football, the value of training, the idea that you have to train even harder after a win, respect within the group, starting with punctuality. I feel like a son of Milanello, of the true Milan.”

De Zerbi admitted that he still follows Serie A, but “I also feel good abroad” and denied he ever spoke to Milan about becoming their coach last summer.

The Italian, however, said he held talks with Bayern Munich: “It seems disrespectful to talk about it, but yes, there was something.”

A former Sassuolo and Brighton coach, De Zerbi also discussed his feelings off the field, saying that it’s hard to enjoy what happens outside football.

“I pay close attention to everything that happens. Not just because I was in Ukraine when the war broke out. The truth is that, as Klopp said, there’s very little time left for anything else,” he said.

De Zerbi: Klopp is right about coaching

Liverpool’s German head coach Jurgen Klopp reacts as his team loses the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match between Atalanta BC and Liverpool FC at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia Stadium in Bergamo, on April 18, 2024. Liverpool were knocked out of the Europa League by Atalanta with the Italian side reaching the semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP) (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)

“I struggle to truly enjoy anything; I’m never happy. I love coaching, and this last month was one of the periods I’ve enjoyed the most, but you need to understand how long I can still coach for. It’s a heavy job, Klopp is right.

“I’m not obliged to stay in football. I want to stay in my own way, for example, by taking out my players’ qualities.

“There was a precise time I started playing football to support my family. It’s the first time I’m talking about it. I went from the local parish team to Lumezzane and then Milan between 1992 and 1994, right when my family was going through an economic crisis. We were forced to sell our doormat factory and went through some very difficult years. At that point, it was no longer a game for me. After leaving the academy and the day after signing a five-year contract with Milan, I went to the bank seeking for mortgage to buy a house for my parents. For me, football has never been just fun.”

During the same interview, De Zerbi admitted Marseille sold Adrien Rabiot to Milan this summer as the France international had refused to take a step back after a violent clash with his ex-teammate Jonathan Rowe.

Marseille have won four consecutive games in Ligue 1, including one against PSG, and sit fifth in the standings, just one point behind their direct rivals.