Rightly or wrongly – and time will tell which – Erik ten Hag is staying on as Manchester United’s head coach for another season at least.
The Red Devils’ new Ineos decision-makers confirmed a fortnight ago that the Dutchman, after becoming the first manager post-Sir Alex Ferguson to win silverware in successive seasons, would be given the chance to prove a largely dismal 2023/24 season can be put in the rearview mirror.
And it’s not as if Manchester United were short of alternative options, contrary to the narrative pushed forward by some.
As The Athletic explain, United held talks with numerous head coaches. Thomas Tuchel – as confirmed by Erik ten Hag himself – was an option. So too were the likes of Thomas Frank, who reportedly impressed in his own interview, as well as Roberto Martinez and even Marco Silva.
There were discussions with Roberto de Zerbi too, the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss who left The Amex last month. The Italian’s reputation suffered a dip, however, during a run of two wins in 13 games to end the Premier League campaign.
Manchester United held Roberto de Zerbi taks
By the time May rolled around, De Zerbi was no longer the flavour of the month. That can potentially reflected in the nature of his next job. The Italian is not taking over at Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United – four clubs he had been linked with throughout the start of 2024 – but instead one of Europe’s perhaps ‘B-list’ teams.
A bonafide, historic powerhouse of a club, yes. But not one used to fighting for titles or even used to playing Champions League football.
De Zerbi arrives at a Marseille side who have only graced Europe’s elite club competition three times in the last decade, who have not won a trophy since 2012, and who finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season.
“Olympique de Marseille has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with Roberto De Zerbi,” reads a statement provided by the club’s official X account.
The former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss should be confirmed at the Stade Velodrome by the end of this week.
“The club is currently working with all parties involved to formalise the arrival of the Italian coach and his staff on the OM bench,” the statement continues. “(We will) prepare for his arrival in Marseille in the coming days.”
Big challenge awaits at Marseille
You only need to ask former L’OM boss Marcelino Garcia Toral – hounded out by the behaviour of the club’s own supporters – to realise the size of the challenge that awaits De Zerbi in France.
Gennaro Gattuso, Jorge Sampaoli, Rudi Garcia and even the great Marcelo Bielsa have also taken in spells at Marseille without ever managing of harness the vast potential of one of Europe’s genuine sleeping giants on a long-term basis.
De Zerbi, at least, certainly has the force of personality to connect with such an impassioned fanbase. His penchant forimproving individual players beyond all recognition, meanwhile, should also benefit a Marseille side where talented prospects have often struggled to impose themselves in recent years.
“My admiration for him is growing every season,” Manchester City bos Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports of De Zerbi recently. “They had a lot of problems and important players like (Levi) Colwill, (Moises) Caicedo, (Alexis) Mac Allister were sold.
“They have a lot of injuries and have played in three competitions, but the way they play is always there. He is doing an incredible job at Brighton.
“He’s brave,” Guardiola adds. “It doesn’t matter which opponent, (De Zerbi) wants to impose his game, the process in build-up with the keeper, defenders, holding midfielders. They are exceptional.
“He’s a perfect person in world football. His teams are so attractive. In Italy, Ukraine (with Shakhtar Donetsk), now here. I’m a spectator always, always I like to watch.”