Roberto De Zerbi at OM, the unfiltered lines that defined a 19-month reign | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi’s 19-month spell at OM was punctuated by unvarnished declarations, from an opening pledge to restore Marseille and fight for the title to a bruising apology after a heavy loss in Paris.

According to L'Équipe, at his July 2024 unveiling he said he joins clubs as if staying a decade, set out bold, structured, joyful football, accepted the risk of defeat, and insisted standards of behaviour must never dip.

After a 1-3 home loss to Auxerre in November 2024, he stressed football was his life, said he speaks plainly, and added that if he were the problem he would walk away without compensation.

He lauded Adrien Rabiot in December 2024, joking the team needed several like him. In February 2025, after beating OL 3-2, he called himself privileged to coach OM and revelled in the Vélodrome’s emotion, while describing Neal Maupay as like a son before the striker was loaned to Sevilla that December.

In April 2025, amid a player revolt after a 1-3 defeat at Reims, he said even his mother had called in concern, rejected being painted a criminal, and wondered why coaches rarely last beyond two years at OM.

Following a 0-1 defeat to Rennes in August 2025, and a fight involving Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe, he argued bravery belongs on the pitch and grievances should be aired calmly, not with crude insults. Days later, having listed Rabiot for transfer, he compared such brawls to workplace violence, said suspension or dismissal were the only options, and stressed hierarchy, with coach and club before players.

After a 1-0 win over PSG in September 2025, he said beating them was one reason he came, calling them stronger and symbols of power, and he thanked players, leadership and supporters. In January 2026, post a 3-1 win against Lens, he argued nationality shapes perceptions, declared himself proudly Italian, and stated Frank McCourt was his only boss.

Two days after a 0-3 defeat at Bruges ended their Champions League run, he maintained he remained OM coach and thought he could stay five or six years. Following the 0-5 loss to PSG in February 2026, he apologised to fans, said it hurt in Paris, and urged introspection rather than regrets.

Source: L'Équipe