‘If he wants to advise me, I’ll give him my number’ – De Zerbi responds to sixth tier Bayeux coach ahead of Coupe de France tie

Roberto De Zerbi responded with trademark irony to comments made by Bayeux FC coach Éric Fouda, as Olympique de Marseille prepare for their Coupe de France round of 32 fixture against Bayeux FC (sixth-tier) on Tuesday night in Caen.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, the OM head coach reaffirmed the importance of the Coupe de France in Marseille’s season, just days after his side were narrowly beaten by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the Trophée des Champions.

“It’s an important objective,” De Zerbi said at a press conference transcribed by La Provence. “We liked playing the Trophée des Champions final, and now we want to go far in this competition.”

However, attention quickly turned to remarks made by Fouda in the French media, where the Bayeux coach — whose side compete in the amateur sixth tier of French football — had offered advice and tactical observations ahead of the meeting with the Ligue 1 club. De Zerbi, while stressing his respect for the opposition, could not resist a wry response.

“It’s an opponent we respect,” he said. “I know the coach likes to talk and give advice to other coaches. If he wants to advise me, I accept — I’ll give him my number.”

Following PSG’s loss to Paris FC in the Coupe de France last night, those in Marseille are hoping that Les Phocéens can take advantage to chase their first Coupe de France triumph since 1989. GFFN | George Boxall