A Breakdown of His Tensions at Marseille
A Breakdown of His Tensions at Marseille
His explosive comments towards the players
Marseille’s third consecutive loss in Ligue1
Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian coach of Olympique Marseille, has faced a turbulent week that’s raised many eyebrows across the football world.
After a series of disappointing defeats, including a 1-3 loss to Reims, De Zerbi found himself in the eye of a storm.
His explosive comments towards the players, accusing them of playing against him, have sparked controversy.
De Zerbi’s frustration has reached a boiling point, and in a dramatic move, he refused to train his squad one day, merely watching them from a distance.
A Defiant Coach’s Words: “Do You Want Me to Fail?”
The former Brighton coach’s outburst revealed his frustrations with the squad’s attitude.
“Do you want me to fail here? If I fail, we all fail,” he allegedly told his players, making it clear that he would not accept mediocrity.
This blunt approach isn’t surprising, given De Zerbi’s reputation as a manager who pushes his players to their limits.
His aggressive style, often involving tough love, is one of the reasons he is both admired and criticised in equal measure.
De Zerbi’s criticism wasn’t limited to just one player.
In an intense moment with Spanish right-back Pol Lirola, he questioned why the player hadn’t performed up to expectations, especially since he was the one who had brought Lirola to the club.
The coach also reprimanded Brazilian winger Luis Henrique, further displaying his no-nonsense attitude towards underperformance.
🎙️ 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗶 s’exprime avant #OMTFC : « Il faut qu'il y ait un choc, une réaction forte, il faut de l'exaspération, aller sur le terrain avec un feu intérieur. Si on fait ça, tout le monde poussera les joueurs. » pic.twitter.com/BbBGY0rppf
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) April 4, 2025
De Zerbi’s Coaching Philosophy: Tough Love and High Standards
Despite the controversy, De Zerbi firmly believes in his methods, which often blur the line between extreme measures and motivational tactics.
He explained, “Football is my life, and I want my players to give everything. When we lose without giving our best, I get angry, and that’s when I make tough decisions.”
He acknowledges that not all players appreciate his approach, but he argues that’s part of the job.
“I don’t want to be loved by everyone. I know my methods are extreme, but they come from a place of wanting success for the team,” De Zerbi said.
The Challenges of Marseille: Can De Zerbi Turn Things Around?
Currently, Marseille sits in third place, far from their target of winning the Ligue 1 title.
With 22 points separating them from leaders PSG, the pressure is mounting on De Zerbi to deliver.
Despite this, he remains resolute in his mission.
“On Sunday, I want my players to give everything. We need to play with fire. If the fans get upset with me, so be it. I’ll take the heat if it means we’ll play with passion,” De Zerbi added, showing his commitment to his vision for the team.
