Roberto De Zerbi only joined Marseille in the summer (Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
After a strong start to the Ligue 1 season, Marseille has begun to slip, and manager Roberto De Zerbi, who left Brighton at the end of the last campaign, is already ready to step down.
After only five months in charge, former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has threatened to leave Marseille.
Despite having a solid start to the season, Marseille has now dropped three of their last six games. After Friday’s 3-1 loss to Auxerre at home, De Zerbi shockingly announced that he was ready to leave, despite the fact that the French powerhouses are still in second place in the Ligue 1 standings, six points behind Paris Saint-Germain with one game remaining.
Mason Greenwood, a former Manchester United attacker, scored a goal in the second half to give Marseille a 3-0 lead at the break. Greenwood, who departed Brighton at the end of the previous season due to rumours of a falling out with Seagulls owner Tony Bloom, was one of several players De Zerbi brought in from the Premier League this summer.
The Italian has now threatened to leave another club after discussing managing United before joining Marseille in June. “I have to take responsibility for this home defeat,” De Zerbi asserted in an impressive press conference following the game. We obviously have problems at home. I’m not sure if it’s a lack of personality or bravery.
“I wanted to experience what it was like to play at the Velodrome, so I came here. I’m prepared to go if I’m the issue. I don’t care about the rest; I’m going out without the money. I don’t want to babble gibberish and offer excuses. We must confront reality; I will not run away. That’s my obligation.
“It is an honour to play at the Velodrome. I must share my love of football with the players. It’s true that we played with ten men at PSG. However, I was not pleased with what I witnessed when it was 11 against 11. At home, some performances fall short of expectations. In any case, we have performed well in Toulouse, Montpellier, and Nantes.
De Zerbi’s goals go beyond Marseille’s position in the league standings, even though the team hopes to finish in the top four and earn a spot in the Champions League. We are unable to discuss this second place. I must be capable of giving and transmitting. “I’m passionate about things other than football,” the 45-year-old said.
“I reiterate: I must leave if I am the issue. I don’t care about money. What matters is the satisfaction of the task. I have nothing negative to say about my players. I leave my heart and soul behind if I go.”
Marseille won’t play again until Saturday, November 23, when they travel to play eighth-place Lens due to the international break. After losing back-to-back home games, including a 3-0 loss to PSG after being reduced to 10 men, the south of France team will be glad to be travelling.
Greenwood, who left United for £26.7 million, is the team’s top scorer with eight goals in 11 league appearances. Neal Maupay, a former forward for Brighton, Everton and Brentford, has been leading the line, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, a former Tottenham midfielder, is a starter.
