Roberto De Zerbi looked crestfallen on Friday evening after
OM’s setback against promoted Auxerre (1-3).
“I have to take responsibility for this defeat at home. We’re having 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 Vélodrome because I wanted to live the experience.”
Strong words which then gave way to an announcement.
“If the problem is me, I’m ready to leave. I’m leaving without the money, the rest I don’t care. I don’t want to make excuses and talk nonsense. I’m not going to escape, we have to face reality. This is what I have to do.”
De Zerbi is thinking of slamming the door
In this context, can De Zerbi leave OM in the days to come? Nothing is to be excluded. “Playing at the Vélodrome is a privilege,” continued the Italian. I have to transfer my passion for football to the players. At PSG, we played with ten players, it’s true. But what I saw eleven against eleven didn’t please me.”
“ There are performances that are not good at home. Away, we had good performances, in Toulouse, Montpellier, Nantes. We can’t talk about this second place. I must be able to give, to transmit something. I live for things that transcend football. I repeat, if I’m the problem, I need to leave. Money is nothing to me. It’s the reward from the work that’s important. I don’t have bad things to say about my players. If I leave, I leave my heart, my soul. When I say that I take responsibility, I really feel responsible. What I just said about Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia is what I told the players. I always speak with my players in the locker room, the managers were present. I tell you exactly the same things. What I have to say, I have said it. I have a face“, concluded De Zerbi. It remains to be seen how this message will be received by management. The truce promises to be turbulent in Marseille.
