The imminent arrival of Roberto de Zerbi at the head of Olympique de Marseille marks a significant turning point in the recent history of the club. After the departure of the former Ivory Coast coach, Roberto de Zerbi presents himself as the new strong man responsible for bringing this emblematic French Ligue 1 club back to life.
With a deal in principle established to replace Jean-Louis Gasset, whose retirement ended the French Ligue 1 season, Roberto de Zerbi brings with him some interesting experience. Having managed Brighton for two seasons and led the club to their best-ever performance by finishing sixth in the Premier League, he also led the team to the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League.
The Marseille club confirmed this decisive news in a late press release last Monday, stressing that it was currently working with all parties concerned to formalize the arrival of the Italian coach and his team on the OM bench, with a view to his coming to Marseille in the coming days.
Since its acquisition by American owner Frank McCourt in 2016, Olympique de Marseille has failed to find stability, facing a series of coaching changes and crises. Having changed coaches 30 times since the start of this century, the club has struggled to regain its former glory, having been a dominant force in French football in the 1980s and 1990s.
The only French club to have won the Champions League, Marseille has failed to regain its national championship since 2010. Despite its glorious past, the club failed to qualify for a European competition this year, finishing in eighth place in League 1.
The arrival of Roberto de Zerbi therefore represents a hope of renewal for OM supporters, with the ambition of rebuilding a club capable of competing at the highest level. His experience and previous successes could well be the ingredients needed to restore Marseille to their former greatness and allow fans to once again dream of success on the national and international stage.