Italian gaffer Roberto De Zerbi will spend the 2024/25 season and beyond in the French Ligue 1 after agreeing a deal to become the manager of Olympique de Marseille.
The Italian, who is highly rated in management and has been linked to the biggest English clubs as well as Barcelona and Bayern Munich, agreed to end his relationship with Brighton and Hove Albion after a less than optimal 2023/24 season by the standards he set at the club in 2022/23.
Despite the Seagulls struggles, he was expected to remain in England and take charge of another club in the Premier League. Months after the many speculations, French media are now reporting the former Napoli midfielder’s agreement to coach Marseille for the foreseeable future.
It also comes as a surprise to Italian media who were expecting him to return to the Serie A after he expressed his desire to return to the club. He was also touted as the replacement for Stefano Pioli at one time before AC Milan appointed Paulo Fonseca.
Announcing De Zerbi’s new position, a Marseille statement read: “The club is currently working with all parties involved to formalise the arrival of the Italian coach and his staff on the OM bench, and to prepare for his arrival in Marseille in the coming days.”
De Zerbi will take over from Jean-Louis Gasset who stepped down from his post at the conclusion of the Ligue 1 season after announcing his retirement.
The 70-year-old was sacked as Côte d’Ivoire’s manager and took over from Gennaro Gattuso in 2024 but was unable to help Marseille finish in the top five of the French top flight. However, he took them all the way to the semifinal of the UEFA Europa League while putting up a performance that was impressive.
De Zerbi’s charge will be to return the club to European competitions and to challenge for the Ligue 1 title, which looks more attainable with the watering down of Paris Saint-Germain thanks to the exit of Kylian Mbappe.
Marseille have also secured their first signing of the De Zerbi era. The Champions League winners beat AS Roma and West Ham United to Canadian international Ismael Koné.
The guarantee of more playing time at Marseille appeals to Koné, who was offered better wages at Roma and West Ham. The 22-year-old already has 19 senior caps for Canada and is currently in the USA for the Copa America with the Maple Leafs where he will likely have his medical to confirm his move to France to link up with De Zerbi.
