Manchester United decision makers Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Ligue 1 club Marseille have announced former Brighton and Hove Albion head coach and Manchester United managerial candidate Roberto De Zerbi has left them by mutual consent. The Italian joined the French side from Brighton in the summer of 2024 and led them to Champions League qualification last season.
De Zerbi signed a number of high-profile players during his time in France, including the former United winger Mason Greenwood. However, this season has been a struggle for Marseille. They were eliminated from the Champions League last month, having lost 3-0 to Club Brugge on the final matchday.
Since then, Marseille drew at Paris FC and beat Rennes in the French Cup, but a heavy 5-0 loss at champions PSG on Sunday has proven to be De Zerbi’s last game in charge. In a statement, Marseille wrote: “Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the first team, have announced the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement.
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“Following discussions between all stakeholders in the club’s management – the owner, president, director of football, and coach – it was decided to make a change at the helm of the first team. This was a difficult collective decision, taken after careful consideration in the best interests of the club, in order to respond to the sporting challenges of the end of the season.”
De Zerbi is one of the managers thought to be under consideration by United to replace Ruben Amorim permanently in the summer. The Italian’s desire to be a head coach rather than manager will attract Ineos, but his spell at Marseille could count against him.
Last month, after losing 3-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League, De Zerbi was asked whether he would be interested in a return to the Premier League. He responded: “I don’t know in this moment, I have to repeat in this moment, I am working in Marseille.
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“I am very happy to stay here. I am working with passion and for the future, I don’t know.” De Zerbi is likely to be linked with the Tottenham Hotspur job this week after they decided to sack Thomas Frank following a 2-1 home defeat against Newcastle.
United are unlikely to rush to replace Amorim, particularly after Michael Carrick’s brilliant start at Old Trafford. The Reds won their first four with the ex-midfielder in charge and continued the unbeaten start on Tuesday night thanks to Benjamin Sesko’s late equaliser vs West Ham.
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