Olympique de Marseille have officially announced the departure of head coach Roberto De Zerbi by mutual agreement, bringing an end to his 18-month reign at the French Ligue 1 club.
The decision comes in the wake of a 5–0 defeat to rivals Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in Le Classique, a result that compounded Marseille’s recent struggles in domestic and European competitions.
In an official statement, the club confirmed that discussions involving the owner, president, and sporting leadership led to a collective decision to make a change at the helm of the first team. The move was described as difficult but made “in the best interests of the club” as Marseille aim to reignite their season and secure qualification for European competition next term.
De Zerbi, 46, took charge of Marseille in the summer of 2024 after a successful stint in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion. Under his leadership, Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 in the 2024–25 season, earning a place in the UEFA Champions League for the following campaign.
However, this season has seen a downturn in results. Marseille currently sit fourth in the Ligue 1 table, 12 points behind PSG, and were eliminated from the Champions League group stage earlier in the campaign.
The club’s statement also expressed gratitude for De Zerbi’s commitment, professionalism, and contribution during his tenure. The Italian coach guided Marseille through 69 matches, securing 39 wins, eight draws and 22 losses in all competitions.
There has been no official announcement yet on De Zerbi’s replacement, but speculation is already growing across European football about potential candidates to take over at the Stade Vélodrome as Marseille look to steady their season.
De Zerbi’s immediate future remains open, with reports linking him to managerial opportunities elsewhere, including potential interest from clubs in the Premier League.