Internal Clashes and Loss of Control Over the Locker Room

A detailed report by The Athletic revealed precise details about the period of Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi with Olympique Marseille, explaining that the reasons for the collapse of his project were not only technical but largely due to tensions within the locker room and a strict management style that created a gap between him and the players.

The report stated that De Zerbi attempted to implement a highly disciplined training style, imposing strict supervision on the players within the training center, from attendance and departure times to details of physical preparation and nutrition. This created a feeling among some players that they were under constant surveillance and that the coach’s tactical decisions were neither understood nor open for discussion within the team.

The report added that the relationship between the Italian coach and the players deteriorated as results declined, with some team members feeling they were not improving despite intense training. Meanwhile, doubts about his tactical decisions and lineup choices increased, leading to a mutual loss of trust within the group.

The report also noted that De Zerbi’s project started strongly in its first season, as he led Marseille to compete for the French league title and secure second place. However, it collapsed in the following season after being eliminated from the Champions League and suffering heavy domestic defeats, most notably a harsh loss to Paris Saint-Germain by a large margin, which hastened the end of his tenure.

In the end, the Marseille management decided to terminate the contract with him by mutual agreement, as there was a belief within the club that the project was no longer sustainable due to the loss of control over the locker room and the pressures from fans and media. Thus, the Italian coach left an experience that was considered an ambitious step but ended tumultuously.