Arsenal loan concern grows as De Zerbi future comes under scrutiny

Uncertainty surrounds Roberto De Zerbi’s position at Marseille after conflicting reports in France following the club’s Champions League exit, but the latest indications are that he has not resigned and remains in charge, at least for now.

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After Marseille’s 3-0 defeat away to Club Brugge, which confirmed a shock group-stage elimination, Foot Mercato and RMC Sport reported that De Zerbi had offered his resignation to the club’s hierarchy and asked to be relieved of his duties.

Those reports said he had told the board that some players were no longer fully buying into his message, prompting internal discussions over whether to accept his offer. RMC also noted that De Zerbi did not join a squad retreat at Clairefontaine on the Thursday, fuelling speculation that his departure was imminent.

Those reports were picked up by several non-French outlets, including Get French Football News, which ran summaries stating that De Zerbi had handed in his resignation, subject to a decision by the club.

However, subsequent reporting in France has presented a different picture.

Football365.fr, citing L’Équipe, reported that De Zerbi has decided to stay at Marseille and has formally denied to L’Équipe that he has resigned. According to that account, the rumours had gathered momentum, but when contacted directly De Zerbi rejected claims that he had asked to quit, with his absence at Clairefontaine put down to ‘illness’, rather than a signal that he was walking away.

Photo via Nwaneri on Instagram

That reporting added that club president Pablo Longoria and sporting director Mehdi Benatia continue to back De Zerbi and want him to remain in the role, despite reported tensions over certain departures and ongoing tactical instability.

Taken together, French sources broadly agree that there has been serious internal reflection following the Brugge defeat, and that De Zerbi indicated he was ready to step aside if the club felt it was necessary. What is disputed is whether that amounted to a formal resignation. The most recent and detailed reporting has De Zerbi denying that he has officially quit, insisting he is staying, and Marseille’s hierarchy signalling that no decision to part company has been taken.

The situation carries significance for Arsenal, of course. The Gunners just recently agreed to send Ethan Nwaneri to the Ligue 1 club on loan in part because they see De Zerbi as an ideal coach for the teenager’s development.

Photo via Fabrizio Romano on Twitter

Reports in England and France have said Marseille beat competition from other clubs because Arsenal valued De Zerbi’s attacking, positional football and his record of working with young players, believing he could offer Nwaneri high-level minutes in a demanding environment that aligned with Mikel Arteta’s principles.

As things stand, De Zerbi’s denial means the original logic of the loan remains intact. But the episode underlines how closely Nwaneri’s development plan is tied to the Marseille coach’s position, and why the uncertainty around his future has altered the risk profile of the move, even if he remains in place for now.