Roberto De Zerbi has parted company with Marseille by mutual agreement, the club announced on Wednesday, following a devastating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and an early Champions League exit. The heavy loss at the Parc des Princes on Sunday restored PSG's two-point lead over Lens at the top of Ligue 1, leaving Marseille in fourth place after 21 rounds.
De Zerbi's tenure unravelled further after a 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge two weeks ago, which ended Marseille's Champions League campaign. The Italian coach had apologised to fans after the humiliating loss to bitter rivals PSG, but the club's hierarchy decided a change was necessary. "Following consultations involving all stakeholders – 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.
De Zerbi joined Marseille in 2024 after two seasons at Brighton & Hove Albion. He led the club to a second-place finish in his first season, tightening their defensive organisation, but his recent tactical choices left many observers puzzled. The club described the decision as "collective and difficult, taken after thorough consideration, in the best interests of the club and to address the sporting challenges of the end of the season."
Marseille have not named a replacement ahead of their league match against Strasbourg on Saturday. Since American owner Frank McCourt bought the club in 2016, the former French powerhouse has struggled for stability, cycling through multiple coaches and experiencing crises that have occasionally turned violent. Marseille, the only French club to win the Champions League before PSG last year, have not won Ligue 1 since 2010.
