Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi named new Marseille head coach
Former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has moved on to the next chapter of his coaching career after being appointed on a three-year deal to take over as Marseille head coach.
De Zerbi had a nomadic playing career that spanned 15 years and 13 different clubs.
After hanging up his boots in 2013 he went straight into management and quickly climbed the coaching ladder.
However, just three months in the role Palermo gave him the boot after seven consecutive defeats.
De Zerbi was appointed manager of Brighton and Hove Albion in September 2022 after Graham Potter left to join Chelsea.
He led Brighton to their highest top-flight finish by finishing sixth in the 2022/23 season and an FA Cup semi-final.
Brighton enjoyed a run to the last 16 of the Europa League in the 2023/24 campaign, but finished 11th in the Premier League and De Zerbi left the club by mutual consent at the end of the season.
In June 2024, De Zerbi signed a three-year deal to take over as Marseille head coach.
He scored eight goals in 22 games in Liga 1, and won the Romanian league twice and the cup once. He ended his playing career back in Italy with Trento in 2013.
Additionally, the impact he has had on players greatly increased Sassuolo's squad value. The club made several large sales such as selling Stefano Sensi to Inter Milan for £22.5million.
The sale of Manuel Locatelli in an initial loan deal to Juventus that should see a sale valued at £35million with add-ons included also illustrated De Zerbi's ability to raise the value of his squad.
Tre anni da grandi protagonisti coronati dal record neroverde di punti in #SerieATIM 🔝
— U.S. Sassuolo (@SassuoloUS) May 25, 2021
Sarai sempre parte della storia del Sassuolo 👏
Grazie mister #DeZerbi 🖤💚
In bocca al lupo per la tua nuova avventura!#ForzaSasol pic.twitter.com/tBYcJisoQb
He led his side to the Ukrainian Super Cup and lead the league after 18 games, scoring 49 goals with a win percentage of 83.33 per cent.
De Zerbi left Shakhtar as the war in the Ukraine escalated.
Following the departure of Graham Potter in a lucrative deal to Chelsea in September 2022, Brighton owner Tony Bloom took a punt on De Zerbi, who was all but unknown to the average British football fan.
The appointment was designed to be a continuation of styles at the club, as both managers aimed to bring a possession-based style of play that prioritises pressing and chance creation.
De Zerbi's new side got off to an impressive start with a 3-3 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
🧐 “One game, one draw and you’re jumping up and down?”
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 3, 2022
✅ “Everything I said, the three points I made, are factually correct.”
Graeme Souness defends his comments about Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi pic.twitter.com/6DEjuorrCD
De Zerbi led Brighton to their highest top-flight finish by finishing sixth in the 2022/23 season and an FA Cup semi-final.
Brighton enjoyed a run to the last 16 of the Europa League in the 2023/24 campaign. but finished 11th in the Premier League and De Zerbi left the club by mutual consent at the end of the season.
De Zerbi cited a difference of vision with Albion owner Tony Bloom as the reason for leaving the Amex Stadium with two years remaining on his contract.
“I hope to work in the Premier League again. I don’t know where or when. But it was an honour to work in the Premier League,” said De Zerbi.
On June 29, 2024 De Zerbi signed a three-year deal to take over as Marseille head coach.
“I’m delighted to be joining Olympique de Marseille, as I had a very strong desire to join the club,” De Zerbi said.
“The history and prestige that surround OM, the passion and fervour of its supporters, and the seriousness and enthusiasm shown to me by Frank (McCourt), Pablo (Longoria) and Medhi (Benatia) were all decisive factors in my decision to embark on this exciting challenge.
“I can’t wait to sit on the bench at the Orange Velodrome, this time as OM coach, and help the club regain the position that Marseille deserves.”
Marseille endured a turbulent 2023/24 campaign and finished eighth in Ligue 1 after they went through three different permanent head coaches.
President Longoria added: “We are very proud to welcome Roberto to Olympique de Marseille, a talented coach with a European reputation.
“As well as being enthusiastic about the idea of coaching OM from the outset, he has all the qualities required to succeed on our bench.
“His decision to join us sends out a strong signal about the club and the new sporting cycle we are embarking on.”
De Zerbi was reportedly on around £2m per year when he joined Brighton.
Former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has moved on to the next chapter of his coaching career after being appointed on a three-year deal to take over as Marseille head coach.
Roberto De Zerbi is set to become the new head coach of Marseille after the Ligue 1 club confirmed they have reached an “agreement in principle” with the former Brighton boss.
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