According to today’s edition of L’Équipe, Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal have included Olympique de Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi on their shortlist to replace Jorge Jesus, who is set to depart at the end of the season. The Saudi team is closely following De Zerbi’s progress at OM, as the French club battles through a turbulent Ligue 1 campaign in pursuit of Champions League qualification.
This season has been a challenging one for De Zerbi, who is navigating both tactical and emotional tests in his debut year in France. With just four games remaining, Marseille are still in contention for a Champions League spot, though the margin for error is minimal.
Marseille fight for a strong finish
After a training camp in Rome, De Zerbi and his Marseille squad return to competitive action against Stade Brestois on Sunday evening. Following AS Monaco’s 1-1 draw with Le Havre on Saturday, OM have the opportunity to climb back into second place with a win. The pressure is on for Marseille to secure a strong finish in what has been a highly charged season.
At a press conference attended by Get French Football News at La Commanderie, De Zerbi reaffirmed his focus on the final matches. Smiling as he answered in French, the Italian remarked, “C’est L’OM,” emphasizing his awareness of the club’s intense environment even before accepting the role.
De Zerbi addresses internal pressures
Speaking candidly, De Zerbi explained that he and his staff, including Pablo and Medhi, are dedicated to working for the best interests of the club. He distanced himself from external controversies, stating, “Everyone is free to do what they want. I do what I think is right for my team in this moment, and that’s OM.”
Addressing ongoing tensions, he added, “The people at the stadium and at home know who is giving everything for the club and who is acting in bad faith,” suggesting a clear divide between those working for OM’s success and those contributing to off-field distractions.
