Olympique de Marseille appoints Roberto De Zerbi as coach

OM are delighted to announce the signing of the Italian coach for the next three seasons. The 45-year-old  Brescia native already boasts a wealth of experience at the highest level. Promoted to first team coach at just 34 years of age after a professional career as an attacking midfielder, Roberto De Zerbi quickly rose through the ranks in Italy, reaching Serie A before installing his ambitious style of play at Sassuolo in 2018.

After three seasons in Emilia-Romagna, during which the Neroverdi established themselves in the top third of the table, he joined Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2021, leaving the club in a leading position after 18 matches when the adventure came to a premature end due to the geopolitical situation in Ukraine.

Renowned for his attacking philosophy and the winning nature of his teams, he signed for Brighton in 2022. In his first season in England, he helped the Seagulls to a 6th place finish in the Premier League, the best ever in the club's history, before taking them all the way to the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 in 2023-24, Brighton's first appearance in a European Cup. 

Frank McCourt: "I am delighted that Roberto has joined us at OM and that he shares our vision for the future of the club. Roberto understands the solidity of the sporting project that Pablo is building, and I'm convinced that his passion and commitment to the club's future will be invaluable."

Pablo Longoria: "We are very proud to welcome Roberto to Olympique de Marseille, a talented coach with a European reputation. As well as being enthusiastic about the idea of coaching OM from the outset, he has all the qualities required to succeed on our bench. His decision to join us sends out a strong signal about the club and the new sporting cycle we are embarking on."

Roberto De Zerbi: "I'm delighted to be joining Olympique de Marseille, as I had a very strong desire to join the club. The history and prestige that surround OM, the passion and fervour of its supporters, and the seriousness and enthusiasm shown to me by Frank, Pablo and Medhi were all decisive factors in my decision to embark on this exciting challenge. I can't wait to sit on the bench at the Orange Vélodrome, this time as OM coach, and help the club regain the position that Marseille deserves."