Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille following a 5-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain, the club announced on Wednesday. The nine-time French champions said they had ended “their collaboration by mutual agreement” after the heavy defeat at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
The loss restored PSG’s two-point lead over Lens after 21 rounds, leaving Marseille in fourth place. De Zerbi’s side also suffered a 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge two weeks ago, which resulted in their elimination from the Champions League.
De Zerbi, who joined Marseille in 2024 after two seasons at Brighton, had apologised to fans after the defeat against bitter rivals PSG. While he tightened tactics during his first season, recent choices had puzzled observers. He led Marseille to second place last season.
“Following consultations involving all stakeholders in the club’s leadership – the owner, president, director of football and head coach – it was decided to opt for a change at the head of the first team,” Marseille said in a statement. “This was a collective and difficult decision, taken after thorough consideration, in the best interests of the club.”
The club did not immediately announce a replacement ahead of Saturday’s league match against Strasbourg. Since American owner Frank McCourt bought Marseille in 2016, the former French powerhouse has struggled for stability, with a succession of coaches and occasional violent crises. Marseille, the only French club to win the Champions League before PSG last year, have not won Ligue 1 since 2010.
