Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille by mutual consent, putting a host of Premier League clubs on red alert.
De Zerbi has cut a frustrated figure following the club’s Champions League exit that was confirmed by a dismal 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge on January 28.
The emotional Italian was reported to be considering resigning after the game but opted instead to gauge the response from his players.
A 2-2 draw with Paris FC and a 3-0 defeat of Rennes in the Coupe de France hinted the situation had calmed but the weekend hammering at Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille losing 5-0 to their Classique rivals, proved the final straw.
A club statement in the early hours read: “Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the first team, have announced the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement.
“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 still fancied in England
De Zerbi joined Marseille in the summer of 2024 after leaving Brighton and led the Velodrome club to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1 last season.
He departs with Marseille fourth in Ligue 1, 12 points behind leaders PSG.
The 46-year-old’s stock remains high in England after an impressive spell at Brighton. The Seagulls qualified for European competition for the first time under his leadership with an attacking, possession-heavy brand of football that won many admirers away from the Amex Stadium.
De Zerbi has been previously linked with Manchester United while both Tottenham and Brighton could emerge as potential destinations.
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