De Zerbi hits back at Marseille journalists: ‘Happy to be Italian’

Roberto De Zerbi hits back at criticism from journalists in Marseille: ‘If I had a French passport, it would have been different, but I’m happy to be Italian.’

Marseille coach De Zerbi hit back at criticism from some of the local journalists after a home 3-1 win against Lens on Saturday.

Marseille now sit third in the Ligue 1 standings, seven points below leaders PSG.

“If I had a French passport, it would have been different. I arrived here with great respect. I’m tied to Marseille because it’s a special place, but many of you journalists, not all, feel the masters here, and I have no masters,” De Zerbi said via Gazzetta.

“You can write anything you want. Some of you talk with good faith, some with bad faith. When there’s good faith, I remain quiet, but I think the passport makes a difference for some of you. I’m Italian and happy to be so. I’ve always been respectful and available to everyone. Some of you think they are the masters here, but I have no masters. The owner is Franck McCourt, and he’s not French either.”

Marseille backed their coach with an official statement: “Our communication takes place within an institutional framework of collective governance, defined and supported by the management. Marseille practice neither boycott nor censorship. Decisions are made in accordance with strategies defined by the club based on analysis of the context, the treatment observed and the respect for the institution.

“The club is entitled to expect all journalists to comply with ethical rules and reserves the right to act through appropriate means against any accusations that harm its image or that of its staff.”

De Zerbi, a former Sassuolo, Shakhtar and Brighton coach, was appointed by Marseille in the summer of 2024 and has won 38 of his 65 games in charge of the French club.

Last season, his first one at Marseille, De Zerbi finished second with 65 points, 19 below French champions PSG.