It is an episode that remained in all memories: November 8, 2024, theOlympique de Marseille underwent a heavy setback against the AJ Auxerre at the Vélodrome stadium (1-3). A performance that marked Roberto de Zerbi.
After this rout against the promoted Burgundian, the Italian coach had even suggested at a press conference that he was ready to tear his contract to leave OM without the slightest compensation. A real bluff.
Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the OM.
Renowned for his sincerity, by Zerbi also knows how to play cunning by activating certain levers when the situation imposes it. This is what he explained transparently in an interview with the team.
De Zerbi protected his players
«It was not to say: “I'm going. ” On the contrary, said the Italian technician. It was a responsibility, to send a signal to everyone, especially to the players. To say: if we cannot express ourselves at the Vélodrome, that means that I cannot make you succeed. And then, it was normal, at that time, to put the focus on me and remove it from the team. 0-3 at home, this first period against Auxerre, if we talk about this match, they will all come across the players. So I moved the fire to me ”.
“But it was not to leave the ship. I never did this. When the war broke out in Ukraine, when we were all in the basement of the hotel, the president was not there, the director general was not there, the sports director was not there, they all left. The only ones who were there were the coach and his staff“Concluded OM coach.
