The Mediterranean coast is in a state of shock this morning, Friday, January 30, 2026. Following Marseille’s humiliating exit from the Champions League, reports from Foot Mercato and RMC Sport confirm that Roberto De Zerbi has officially offered his resignation to the club hierarchy.
The Italian tactician, known for his volatile and passionate nature, reportedly told club president Pablo Longoria that he can "no longer continue" after the team’s 3–0 collapse against Club Brugge on Wednesday.
The Anatomy of a Collapse
Marseille entered the final matchday of the UCL league phase needing just a point to advance, but a series of catastrophic events led to their total elimination:
The Brugge Ambush: OM conceded twice in the first 11 minutes in Belgium, a failure De Zerbi reportedly took as a "personal insult" to his tactical preparation.
The Trubin Heartbreak: Marseille were technically through until the 98th minute of the Benfica-Madrid game, when goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored to knock OM out on goal difference.
The Dressing Room Silence: De Zerbi reportedly did not speak to his players after the match and notably missed Thursday’s training session at Clairefontaine, fueling rumors that he had already checked out.
Medhi Benatia (Sporting Director): "The coach is a man of great honor. He feels the responsibility for the European failure more than anyone. We are talking, but the priority is the stability of Olympique de Marseille."
The Verdict: While De Zerbi has denied requesting to leave in some reports, the consensus in France is that the bridge has been burned. His absence from training is the clearest indicator that the "De Zerbi era" in Marseille is ending much sooner than anyone anticipated.