Olympique Marseille and head coach Roberto De Zerbi have mutually agreed to part ways, the club confirmed on Wednesday morning, just days after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Le Classique at the Parc des Princes.
The decision brings an abrupt end to De Zerbi’s tenure in southern France, with the Italian departing less than 18 months into what was initially planned as a long-term project.
Marseille’s crushing loss to PSG proved to be the final blow in what had already become a turbulent period for the club. The defeat followed an unexpected Champions League exit and a series of inconsistent domestic performances that left the coaching staff under increasing pressure.
According to French outlet RMC, De Zerbi had already been close to leaving before the Clásico defeat. The coach himself admitted in recent days that he was struggling to understand his side’s fluctuating form and performances.
Throughout the season, De Zerbi experimented heavily with tactical setups, alternating between a three-man and four-man defence. Frequent changes in personnel and injuries meant Marseille used as many as 33 different starting lineups since the beginning of the campaign.
The constant adjustments prevented the team from building continuity or momentum, contributing to an inconsistent run of results that ultimately undermined the project.
Reports also suggest that De Zerbi felt mentally drained and no longer had the energy required to see out the remainder of the season, accelerating discussions over a mutual separation.
In the short term, Pancho Abardonado and Romain Ferrier, currently in charge of Marseille’s reserve side, are expected to step in on an interim basis while the club searches for a permanent replacement.
Club president Pablo Longoria had only recently expressed his desire for De Zerbi to become Marseille’s equivalent of Diego Simeone, highlighting the scale of ambition attached to the Italian’s appointment when he arrived in 2024 on a minimum three-year deal.
Marseille owner Frank McCourt will now oversee the process of appointing a new coach as the club attempts to stabilise its season and recover from a disappointing run that has seen its European hopes fade.
