Roberto De Zerbi ended the suspense. Announced that he had resigned from his post as coach of Olympique de Marseille following the rout experienced by the Phocaeans on Wednesday in Bruges (3-0) and their elimination from the Champions League, the Italian technician confirmed that he would remain in post this Friday during a press conference organized by video before the Ligue 1 match scheduled for this Saturday against Paris FC (5 p.m.)
With drawn features and a low voice, the latter still appeared marked by European disillusionment. “We lost a very important match for the rest of the season,” he recalled. “A match lost in a way that hurts us. We are leaving the Champions League. We have to try to understand,” said the Olympian coach, confirming having discussed with his president Pablo Longoria and football director Medhi Benatia. “We came together to try to find the best possible solution. When we experience times like this, it’s good to examine our conscience. The responsibility is partly mine. We will do everything to leave. I’m still here. »
“Marseille is the ideal place for me”
While several media outlets, including Foot Mercato, claimed Thursday evening that De Zerbi had asked to leave the club, the latter repeated several times his intention to stay in Marseille. “I am still the OM coach. Tomorrow (Saturday), I will be sitting on the bench,” he replied, still evading a journalist’s question asking him if he would stay in office until the end of the season. “I said it before the match (against Bruges), I don’t know if I am the ideal coach for OM, but I think Marseille is the ideal place for me (…) I have the strength to stay in Marseille for another 5 or 6 years, I love it, it’s my passion. »
If he takes his “share of responsibility” in the Belgian debacle, the volcanic 46-year-old coach has thrown a stone into the garden of his leaders. Targeting the “lack of regularity and consistency” of his team in the results, “RDZ” pointed out the too unstable sporting policy of the Marseille club on the transfer market.
“The players support me”
“OM is a great team, but the players have been playing together for too little time. Players need to know each other better for the team to grow. If there are six or seven changes every year, if there is a witch hunt, it’s hard to be competitive,” he said, in reference to the numerous player movements during the summer window.
“A great team is built with complete knowledge of each player. We changed around a dozen players this summer. There is a need for more cohesion to achieve important objectives,” analyzed De Zerbi, who also denies the slightest “friction” with his protégés and refuses to target certain individuals more than others.
“When you lose, everyone loses, there is no question of making anyone feel more or less guilty. I absolutely do not criticize anyone,” he proclaimed. “The players support me.” A statement that will be put to the test on Saturday against PFC and especially Tuesday against Rennes in the Coupe de France, the club’s priority objective at the end of the season.
