Roberto De Zerbi Leaves Marseille By Mutual Consent After Humiliation From PSG

Roberto De Zerbi has stepped down as manager of Marseille with immediate effect, following a difficult run of results and growing pressure at the French club.

The Italian coach departs after Marseille suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to fierce rivals Paris Saint-Germain, a result that left them fourth in Ligue 1 and 12 points behind the league leaders. Their European hopes have already ended after a 3-0 loss to Club Brugge knocked them out of the Champions League.

Marseille confirmed the decision in an official statement earlier today, February 11. “Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the first team, have announced the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement,” the club said.

“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.”

De Zerbi joined Marseille in the summer of 2024 after leaving Brighton, where he spent nearly two years building a reputation as one of Europe’s most progressive coaches.

He enjoyed a strong debut season in France, guiding L’OM to a second place finish in Ligue 1, though they still finished 19 points behind champions PSG.

Across 69 matches in all competitions, De Zerbi recorded 39 wins but also endured 22 defeats. This season, Marseille have struggled to keep pace domestically and have already been eliminated from European competition, leaving the Coupe de France as their only realistic shot at silverware ahead of a quarter final clash with Toulouse next month.

Reports suggest De Zerbi had been contracted until the end of next season but was already expected to leave in the summer. His early exit is believed to have been driven by the coach himself, with the heavy defeat to PSG proving a decisive moment.

His availability is likely to attract interest from Premier League clubs, with Manchester United and Tottenham both seen as potential destinations should he opt for a return to England.

United are currently under interim management following the departure of Ruben Amorim, with Michael Carrick in charge until the end of the campaign.

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