As Roberto De Zerbi prepares for his debut in Ligue 1, the new Marseille manager has set ambitious goals for his team. In a recent interview with L’Équipe (via Calciomercato), De Zerbi expressed confidence in his squad and outlined his vision for the club’s future.
De Zerbi acknowledged the high expectations surrounding Marseille, stating, “We have an obligation to win because, on paper, the players I have at my disposal are stronger than those of the competition.” He embraced these expectations, adding, “There are many expectations, and we accept them without hiding.”
The Italian coach didn’t shy away from discussing Marseille’s aspirations to challenge Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance. “Competing with PSG is our dream. When? I don’t know, but obviously that’s what we’re aiming for,” he said. De Zerbi emphasized that while they are still in a building phase, they have no intention of hiding their ambitions to rival PSG.
Reflecting on his departure from Brighton, De Zerbi explained, “I had different ideas from the ownership. I love football and working, but also freedom: at Brighton, it was no longer like that, and I didn’t want to accept things I considered unfair.”
De Zerbi’s enthusiasm for his new role was evident as he shared his vision: “I want to wake up and think about the Velodrome exploding, about Greenwood scoring 15 goals and Wahi scoring 20.” He also revealed his approach to player selection, emphasizing character and willingness. “Mason [Greenwood] was the first one I called. I spoke with his father, told him about the club’s demands and Marseille’s history. He told me he remembers the OM of the golden years and the Champions League finals.”
