Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille Departure Followed Strained Player Relations
Roberto De Zerbi's relationship with his Marseille players had become severely strained, with the Italian manager reportedly knowing his time at the French club was over immediately after their devastating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, according to detailed reports emerging from France.
The Final Straw: PSG Defeat Proved Unrecoverable
The 46-year-old Italian departed Marseille with immediate effect on Tuesday, with the club confirming his exit in an official statement released in the early hours of the morning. French sports outlet RMC Sport reported that De Zerbi and club executives reached the conclusion that his position had become completely untenable shortly after the comprehensive mauling at the hands of their Parisian rivals on Sunday.
Marseille's leadership and De Zerbi engaged in late-night discussions at his private residence in the days following the chastening defeat by Luis Enrique's dominant PSG side. According to the publication, all parties ultimately determined it was best for the manager to leave after less than two full years in charge of the historic French club.
De Zerbi's Realization and Player Disconnect
Citing a close friend of the former Brighton manager, RMC Sport revealed that De Zerbi understood his French adventure had reached its conclusion "on the evening of the match in Paris." Following that crushing defeat, the Italian reportedly had "no answers" and "did not understand his team" as the relationship with his squad deteriorated significantly.
It had been claimed that De Zerbi was "devastated" by the attitude displayed by his players after Marseille's dismal elimination at the first stage of the Champions League. This European disappointment came after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge on the final matchday of their group stage campaign.
Contractual Details and Compensation Arrangements
De Zerbi had been under contract with Marseille until the summer of 2027, having signed a substantial three-year deal in June 2024. Interestingly, the French outlet reported that the departing manager did not request to be paid out in full for the remainder of his contract.
Instead, he has been compensated for the remainder of the current season but notably lobbied for his coaching staff to receive greater financial compensation, according to RMC Sport's detailed reporting on the matter.
Official Club Statement and Future Prospects
A formal Marseille statement read: "Following discussions between all stakeholders in the club's management - the owner, president, director of football, and coach - it was decided to make a change at the helm of the first team. This was a difficult collective decision, taken after careful consideration in the best interests of the club, in order to respond to the sporting challenges of the end of the season."
The statement continued: "Olympique de Marseille would like to thank Roberto De Zerbi for his dedication, commitment, professionalism, and seriousness, which were particularly evident in the team's second-place finish in the 2024/25 season. The club wishes him all the best for the rest of his career."
De Zerbi has already been linked with several prominent managerial positions, including the Manchester United job as the English club looks to appoint a new head coach this summer. He was interviewed by Ineos representatives in May 2024 and was considered a leading contender to replace Erik ten Hag before the eventual appointment of Ruben Amorim.
Premier League Return and Internal Club Dynamics
Tottenham Hotspur had also been touted as a potential destination for the Italian manager, but Daily Mail Sport understands it is unlikely Spurs will move for De Zerbi following the recent sacking of Thomas Frank. The former Marseille manager, who guided the club to automatic Champions League qualification in his first season in charge, is believed to be keen on a return to the Premier League where he previously achieved success with Brighton.
Meanwhile, Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia and club president Pablo Longoria have reportedly told the players they need to prove their worth as the club looks to revive their faltering season. Marseille currently sit fourth in Ligue 1, three points behind the Champions League qualification places, and have already been eliminated from European competition entirely.
Greenwood Controversy and Internal Tensions
Benatia is also thought to have clashed with Mason Greenwood, who has been publicly praised for his efforts in France by De Zerbi. According to L'Equipe, Benatia and the former Manchester United winger now openly ignore one another whenever they cross paths, with the sporting director frequently serving as a vocal critic of the 24-year-old both on and off the pitch.
The sporting director is believed to have been particularly angered that Greenwood shirked a commercial responsibility last summer with little concern for the potential repercussions. De Zerbi, however, consistently and publicly backed Greenwood, claiming his player had become "world-class" after building on "what his mother and father taught him."
The former United forward left Old Trafford under controversial circumstances in the summer of 2024 but successfully revived his career under De Zerbi's management, proving himself an integral part of Marseille's first team setup. Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 and charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault while playing at United, which led to his banishment from the squad and being dropped by England's national team.
All charges were eventually dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew their involvement. Despite this legal resolution, Greenwood remained in exile at Manchester United before eventually being sold for £26.7 million to Marseille, where he found both playing time and managerial support under De Zerbi's leadership.
