Roberto De Zerbi has left his role as head coach of Marseille by mutual agreement, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The decision comes days after a 5-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain and follows the team's elimination from the Champions League.
The heavy loss at the Parc des Princes on Sunday allowed PSG to move two points clear of Lens at the top of Ligue 1, with Marseille in fourth place. Marseille had earlier suffered a 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge, a result that ended their European campaign. De Zerbi apologised to supporters after the loss to their bitter rivals.
In a statement, Marseille said the change was made after consultations involving the owner, president, director of football and the head coach. "This was a collective and difficult decision, taken after thorough consideration, in the best interests of the club and in order to address the sporting challenges of the end of the season," the club said.
De Zerbi joined Marseille in 2024 after two seasons at Brighton & Hove Albion. He guided the club to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season, but his recent tactical choices had puzzled observers. No replacement has been announced ahead of Saturday's league match against Strasbourg.
The departure is the latest upheaval at a club that has struggled for stability since Frank McCourt's takeover in 2016. Marseille, dominant in French football in the late 1980s and early 1990s and the only French side to win the Champions League before PSG did last year, have not won the league title since 2010.
