Roberto De Zerbi has pushed back on suggestions he is distracted by the vacant Manchester United managerial role, insisting his attention remains with Marseille as the club pursues domestic and European objectives.<\/p>\n
Marseille sit third in the French standings, seven points behind Paris Saint-Germain and eight behind surprise leaders RC Lens. The side are also in contention to reach the Champions League knockout phase for the first time since 2011\u201312.<\/p>\n
De Zerbi\u2019s record in England with Brighton & Hove Albion, where he finished as high as seventh in 2022\u201323, has been cited as a reason he could be considered by those at Old Trafford. He declined to engage with that speculation ahead of Marseille\u2019s Champions League clash with Liverpool.<\/p>\n
“My focus is totally on Marseille. I wanted to come here,” he declared. “The day before a very important, very crucial game, I have no space in my head to think about other things. I feel very well in this city with these players, with this club.”<\/p>\n
The coach\u2019s current contract runs until the end of the 2026\u201327 season and has entered its final 18 months, a reality that leaves room for uncertainty over what could follow.<\/p>\n
“As for the future, we have got to speak in the next month, in the next year, I don\u2019t know,” he said.<\/p>\n
De Zerbi has been open in the past about his view of English football, calling the Premier League “absolutely the best league in the world” and saying a return there could happen one day. Despite that acknowledgment, his remarks about Marseille, its culture and its supporters were delivered with clear conviction.<\/p>\n
“Marseille is the right place for me, because the people love football and they feel the passion,” De Zerbi told TNT Sports in response to a question about the Manchester United rumours. “It\u2019s a religion more than a sport, and it’s more than a job.<\/p>\n
“If you want to work at the club, you have to eat, drink and sleep football.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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