Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly ready to walk away from Marseille after the club’s failure to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, with the Italian coach said to have submitted his resignation following a damaging European collapse.
The decisive blow came with a 3 0 defeat away to Club Brugge, a result that left Marseille stranded in 25th place in the Champions League standings and outside the qualification places. Despite De Zerbi being under contract until the summer of 2027, the early exit has accelerated a crisis at the Stade Velodrome.
De Zerbi took charge in 2024 and initially appeared to be a strong fit. He inherited a talented squad and strengthened it further with additions such as Mason Greenwood, guiding Marseille back into Europe during his debut campaign and raising expectations of sustained progress.
Those ambitions have stalled during the 2025 26 season. Inconsistent domestic and European performances gradually eroded momentum, but the heavy defeat in Belgium proved decisive, ending Marseille’s continental run before the knockout play off round.
Only the top 24 teams advanced, and Marseille’s elimination sparked immediate pressure on the coaching staff. French outlet RMC Sport reported that the club hierarchy were considering dismissing De Zerbi, a situation that intensified when he did not lead training at Clairefontaine ahead of the upcoming league fixture against Paris FC.
According to Foot Mercato, De Zerbi has now offered to resign, with discussions already held between the coach and the club. A formal decision is expected imminently as Marseille weigh their next move during a turbulent spell.
The atmosphere around the club has shifted sharply in recent weeks. What began as a season of promise and belief has turned into one of frustration, with supporters and officials alike searching for answers after Europe slipped away so abruptly.
Marseille struggled to impose control in key Champions League fixtures, often conceding momentum early and failing to recover. Defensive lapses, missed chances, and an inability to manage decisive moments became recurring themes as pressure mounted.
The loss to Club Brugge followed that pattern. Marseille conceded early, never fully recovered their composure, and were punished repeatedly by a more clinical opponent, sealing their fate long before the final whistle.
Despite the current turmoil, De Zerbi remains highly regarded within the game. His tactical ideas and intense approach have earned widespread admiration, with his work previously drawing praise and long term managerial links to elite clubs in England.
For Marseille, the immediate focus turns to stability and damage limitation as domestic commitments continue. For De Zerbi, resignation would mark the end of a brief but emotionally charged chapter, and potentially the beginning of another high profile challenge elsewhere.
