Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi has departed the French Ligue 1 club by “mutual agreement” in the wake of a humiliating 5-0 defeat to bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain.
The nine-time French champions announced the decision on Wednesday, just days after the crushing loss in French football’s biggest game, a result that proved the final straw.
The heavy defeat at the Parc des Princes on Sunday saw defending champions PSG restore their two-point lead over Lens after 21 rounds, leaving Marseille fourth after the humiliating result.
De Zerbi’s exit also comes on the heels of another embarrassing 3-0 loss to Club Brugge two weeks prior, which resulted in the club’s elimination from the Champions League.
De Zerbi, who had publicly apologised to Marseille fans after the PSG thrashing, joined the club in 2024 after two seasons managing Brighton. While he initially tightened tactics, leading Marseille to a second-place finish last season, his recent decisions had reportedly left many observers perplexed.
The club stated: "Following consultations involving all stakeholders in the club’s leadership – the owner, president, director of football and head coach – it was decided to opt for a change at the head of the first team. This was a collective and difficult decision, taken after thorough consideration, in the best interests of the club and in order to address the sporting challenges of the end of the season."
The departure underscores a period of persistent instability for the former French football powerhouse. Since American owner Frank McCourt acquired Marseille in 2016, the club has struggled to find any form of consistency, experiencing a succession of coaches and internal crises, some of which have turned violent.
Marseille dominated domestic football in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was the only French team to win the Champions League before PSG claimed the trophy last year. The club has not secured a league title since 2010.
Marseille did not immediately name a replacement for De Zerbi ahead of Saturday's league fixture against Strasbourg, leaving the club in flux.
