MARSEILLE, France (AP) 鈥� Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi is leaving the French league club in the wake at the hands of PSG in French soccer biggest game.
The nine-time French champions said on Wednesday that they have ended 鈥渢heir collaboration by mutual agreement.鈥�
The heavy loss Sunday at the Parc des Princes restored defending champion PSG鈥檚 two-point lead over Lens after 21 rounds, with Marseille in fourth place after the humiliating defeat.
De Zerbi’s exit followed another embarrassing 3-0 loss at Club Brugge two weeks ago that resulted in Marseille exiting the Champions League.
De Zerbi, who had apologized to Marseille fans after the loss against bitter rival PSG, joined Marseille in 2024 after two seasons in charge at Brighton. After tightening things up tactically in Marseille during his first season, his recent choices had left many observers puzzled.
鈥淔ollowing consultations involving all stakeholders in the club鈥檚 leadership 鈥� the owner, president, director of football and head coach 鈥� it was decided to opt for a change at the head of the first team,鈥� Marseille said. 鈥淭his was a collective and difficult decision, taken after thorough consideration, in the best interests of the club and in order to address the sporting challenges of the end of the season.鈥�
De Zerbi led Marseille to a second-place finish last season. Marseille did not immediately announce a replacement for De Zerbi ahead of Saturday’s league match against Strasbourg.
Since American owner Frank McCourt bought Marseille in 2016, the former powerhouse of French soccer has failed to find any form of stability, with a succession of coaches and crises that sometimes turned .
Marseille dominated domestic soccer in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was the only French team to win the Champions League before PSG claimed the trophy last year. It hasn鈥檛 won its own league title since 2010.
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