The Athletic FC Podcast Will De Zerbi return to the Premier League?
Feb 17, 2026
Liam Tharme, tactics-focused analyst who breaks down modern attacking coaches. Tom Williams, football journalist offering tactical and European club context. They trace why De Zerbi’s Marseille spell collapsed, debate the Parc defeat’s cultural weight, unpack his high-risk attacking style and rotation issues, and consider whether his profile fits Premier League or Serie A clubs.
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Stability Was Superficial At Marseille
- Marseille's brief stability under Pablo Longoria, Mehdi Benatia and Roberto De Zerbi looked real but quickly unraveled.
- Club volatility and rapid reversals made long-term projects almost impossible to sustain.
Big Defeats Triggered Rapid Fallout
- Champions League humiliation and a 5-0 Le Classique defeat made De Zerbi's position untenable.
- High-profile losses accelerated internal power shifts and Benatia's influence grew.
High Reward, High Risk Coaching Style
- De Zerbi's coaching combines explosive attacking highs with volatile, severe lows.
- His tactical impact often delivers quick success but can expose fragility over time.