‘I didn’t flee Shakhtar even when Putin threw his bombs at Kyiv’ – Roberto De Zerbi re-affirms his commitment to Marseille

Roberto De Zerbi offered to leave Olympique de Marseille prior to the international break. Having received the backing of the hierarchy, he has now re-affirmed his commitment to the club. 

Whilst Marseille sit third in Ligue 1, nine points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, performances at the Vélodrome have been lacking. His side succumbed 3-0 in Le Classique, with the fans leaving at half-time. There is no shame in losing to Les Parisiens but the manner of it was a concern. 

There was certainly cause for concern two weeks later as OM head into the break 3-0 down to AJ Auxerre at half-time. Once again, fans headed to the exit at the Vélodrome. It was an emotional De Zerbi who came into the press conference post-match after the 3-1 defeat. 

“If I’m the problem, I’m ready to leave,” said the Italian. However, over the course of the international break, he has received the backing of Medhi Benatia, the club’s sports director. “The confidence that we have in him, I don’t even need to talk about it […] He has our full confidence and at the return to training, everything will be normal,” Benatia told RMC Sport. 

De Zerbi has now re-affirmed his commitment, saying that he wouldn’t “flee” and referencing how he didn’t leave Shakhtar Donetsk, even after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “I am not resigning. I am not fleeing. I didn’t flee Shakhtar even when (Vladimir) Putin threw his bombs at Kyiv. I will not flee. I wanted to come here. I believe in this OM. I believe in the players that I manage,” the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager told reporters on Friday.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle