Roberto De Zerbi

The possession maestro shaping Marseille into a relentless attacking force—if OM wants to outpace rivals, De Zerbi’s intensity is exactly what fans demanded.

Coach
Italian

Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as one of the more tactically progressive football managers in Europe, with a managerial profile that now has direct implications for Olympique de Marseille (OM) following his June 2024 appointment as head coach.

Managerial Journey and Philosophy

De Zerbi’s route—from a modest playing career in Serie B and Serie C to coaching at Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton, and now Marseille—has equipped him with a clearly defined footballing philosophy. His hallmark remains a possession-based, positionally disciplined, high-pressing system, influenced by Pep Guardiola.

At OM, supporters and strategists recognize that De Zerbi’s presence brings a calculated, intensely proactive blueprint into Ligue 1, a blueprint worthy of respect and strategic counteraction.

Coaching Achievements

  • At Sassuolo, achieved eighth-place finishes by leveraging positional rotations and incisive build-up play.
  • At Shakhtar Donetsk, exported his principles successfully by winning the Ukrainian Super Cup.
  • At Brighton and Marseille, demonstrated quick tactical bedding-in, elevated attacking output, and player resuscitation.

Tactical Approach

De Zerbi’s preference for high-tempo possession and a flexible 3-4-2-1 formation poses both challenges and learning opportunities. His teams build from the back, exploit imbalanced midfields, and use quick vertical movements. After a November 2024 tactical reset at Marseille, his squad posted an unbeaten league run until late January 2025, showing rapid adaptation and player buy-in.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite his achievements, De Zerbi's uncompromising management style sometimes risks internal conflict. In March 2025, a fall-out with players highlighted potential vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by clubs like OM with strong cultures.

Strategically, he is susceptible to high-wattage counters and occasional rigidity under stress, as seen in his dips at Brighton and Marseille. OM's technical staff should capitalize on these vulnerabilities, particularly in transition phases and by leveraging the atmospheric advantage of Stade Vélodrome.