- 20 Dec 2024
De Zerbi threatens to QUIT as raging Marseille fans injure female TV reporter
Robin Bairner
- 9 Nov 2024 11:03 GMT
- 5 min read
Roberto De Zerbi has threatened to quit his post as Marseille head coach following Friday’s chaotic 3-1 home loss against Auxerre in Ligue 1.
Marseille were thought to be genuine title challengers to PSG this season, having made a high-profile summer transfer window that saw them attract players such as Mason Greenwood to the Velodrome, not to mention De Zerbi himself.
OM’s home form, though, has been dreadful and slipped to a new low as they were beaten by newly promoted Auxerre.
De Zerbi’s side were left exposed on transition as individual errors left them 3-0 down at half-time, and though Greenwood responded from the penalty spot in the second period, the hosts were unable to rally, leaving supporters furious come the end of the game.
If I’m the problem, I have to leave. I don’t care about money.
- Roberto De Zerbi“I don’t live to be second. I don’t even live to win,” he told the media at full-time.
“I want to succeed by giving something that goes beyond the result. Don’t talk to me about second, third or fourth. I’ve come here to give something. I live for something that transcends football.
“If I’m the problem, I have to leave. I don’t care about money. What I’m looking for is the gratification of work.
“I truly take responsibility. When I say that I am responsible, it is because I truly feel responsible. I have no intention of blaming others.”
Reporter injured by angry fans
To make matters worse, DAZN reporter Ambre Godillon was struck by a missile thrown by the stands at half-time as the anger of the Marseille fans boiled over.
“I was hit in the face by a projectile. I’m a bit shocked by that,” the journalist, who was hit between the nose and the eye, explained.
She added on X: “Thank you for all your extremely kind messages. I don't really know what to say in fact, except that I'm fine and that I'm doing well.”
Police have seized the object, an e-cigarette, which L’Equipe says is believed to have bounced off the tarpaulin covering the player’s tunnel and hit the DAZN journalist.
