Roberto De Zerbi has shockingly threatened to quit Marseille following the French club’s latest defeat.
De Zerbi’s side went down 3-1 to Auxerre, who started the day in 11th in the Ligue 1 table, on Friday night, their second defeat in three games following a 3-0 loss against PSG a fortnight ago.
The club’s home form has been poor this season, having also dropped points against Reims and Angers at the Orange Velodrome.
And things got worse this week when, despite Mason Greenwood’s penalty, three first half goals lead to the downfall of De Zerbi’s side who, though are still second in the league table, are six points off leaders PSG having played a game more.
The former Brighton boss didn’t mince his words after the game, either. Having dodged questions from broadcaster DAZN after the match, he told the media that he may opt to leave the club.
‘I have to take responsibility for this home defeat,’ the Italian said. ‘We have difficulties at home, that’s clear.
‘I don’t know if it’s a lack of courage or personality. I came here to play at the Velodrome because I wanted to live the experience. If the problem is me, I’m ready to leave.
‘I’m leaving without the money, I don’t care about the rest. I don’t want to make excuses and talk nonsense. I’m not going to escape, we have to face reality. That’s what I have to do.’
Marseille could drop to as low as fourth if results don’t go their way over the rest of the weekend, but may find themselves as far as nine points off of PSG and their chances of winning the title already slim.
They finished eighth last season, but had hoped to kick on following the arrival of De Zerbi after he left Brighton.
‘We can’t talk about this second place,’ he added. ‘I have to be able to give, to transmit something.
‘I live for things that transcend football. I repeat, if I’m the problem, I have to leave.
‘Money is nothing to me. It’s the gratification of the work that is important. I don’t have bad things to say about my players. If I leave, I leave my heart, my soul.’
Greenwood has been one of the stars of the Marseille team this season, netting eight goals in 11 games. But he was criticised by his current boss after the defeat by PSG having been hauled off at half time.
‘Because I didn’t like the way he played,’ the Italian explained as his reason for the withdrawal. ‘If we want to compete for the title we have to push in all matches.
‘I think he was having a bad day. He gave us a lot of goals and points but when you’re at OM, if you want to fight for the championship, you have to push in every match.
‘You can’t say you’re doing a good performance by scoring two goals and then having a bad patch the next match. It’s not possible. He’s a good player but I expected more from him tonight. But not only from him. I always expect more in general.’
