Marseille Manager Roberto De Zerbi Dismisses Resignation Rumors

Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has put to rest the swirling rumors regarding his potential resignation after the club’s early Champions League exit, with club president Pablo Longoria confirming his future at Stade Vélodrome remains secure.

De Zerbi Faces Champions League Disappointment

The fallout from Marseille’s dramatic Champions League group-stage elimination has seen speculation mount concerning Roberto De Zerbi’s position. The Ligue 1 side exited the competition on goal difference after a stunning late goal by Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin against Real Madrid, which allowed the Portuguese club to squeeze past Marseille into the knockout rounds. The heartbreak was compounded by unverified reports suggesting De Zerbi had offered his resignation following the disappointment.

Despite his contract running until the summer of 2027, the rumors gained momentum as Marseille’s European ambitions were cut short. The pressure was amplified by their current standing in Ligue 1—third place, yet trailing significantly behind leaders RC Lens and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Longoria Responds: De Zerbi Staying at Marseille

Club president Pablo Longoria addressed the situation in a recent interview with BeIN Sports, seeking to offer clarity and calm to the Marseille faithful. “We need to move beyond all the drama, all the theatrics. Since that very heavy defeat, there have been post-match emotions and understandable disappointment. But at no point was there any discussion about the coach leaving. There was a calm, professional analysis between Medhi (Benatia), the coach (Roberto De Zerbi), and myself,” Longoria stated firmly.

He went on to emphasize that the primary objective this season was not Champions League qualification, referencing the club’s historical struggle to maintain back-to-back appearances in the competition. “A president must remain serious. I never stated that the objective was to qualify for the Champions League this season. That’s not a sign of ambition, it’s reality. In the last 30 years, OM has only qualified for the Champions League two seasons in a row once.”

Marseille’s Ambitions Remain High Under De Zerbi

Pablo Longoria acknowledged the frustration felt by fans and the squad, especially after a 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge in the group stage. “With last week’s disappointment, we created a lot of frustration among our fans. I share that, I understand. The priority is to qualify for the Champions League for a second consecutive season. That’s very important. The Cup is another way to win a trophy. In a knockout match, anything can happen, but we want to go all the way in the competition.”

De Zerbi’s Focus Shifts to Domestic Success

After the turbulence, De Zerbi returned to Ligue 1 action as Marseille traveled to face Paris FC. The team responded with intensity, taking the lead through a Mason Greenwood penalty early in the match and sustaining their advantage to the break. Victory in this fixture would see Marseille close the gap on RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain, reigniting hopes for a title race or at least a strong finish.

Meanwhile, PSG aims to reclaim top spot by facing Strasbourg, while RC Lens continues to set the pace. The competition at the top of Ligue 1 is fierce, but Marseille under De Zerbi remains determined to challenge and secure critical points in their upcoming fixtures.

Key Matches Ahead for Marseille

Looking forward, Marseille’s journey in the Coupe de France offers another route to silverware. Their upcoming clash against Rennes is highly anticipated, as success in the domestic cup could provide a significant morale boost and redeem the disappointment from Europe.

Opinion: Stability Is Key for Marseille’s Progress

Roberto De Zerbi’s commitment to Marseille, reaffirmed by president Pablo Longoria, signals a valuable period of stability for the club. Despite the Champions League setback, De Zerbi’s tactical acumen and the squad’s resilience should not be underestimated. The focus must now shift fully to Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, where Marseille has realistic opportunities to achieve success. Maintaining unity and belief will be essential as the team seeks to meet its ambitions and keep fans behind their project.

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