By managing to convince Roberto De Zerbi to join Olympique de Marseille, Pablo Longoria also ousted Giovanni Rossi from Sassuolo, where he was sports director. However, the Italian leader no longer has much influence on the transfer window today.
Last summer, Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia made big changes within the Olympique de Marseille squad, with the Champions League in their sights. Roberto De Zerbi allowed himself to be convinced by Marseille's ambitions and agreed to commit to them to allow OM to return to the top. In his suitcase, the Italian technician brought with him Giovanni Rossi. Sports director of Sassuolo between 2018 and 2024, the manager knew De Zerbi well with whom he worked for three years. But since he has been in Marseille, Rossi has not had the same role at all.
Longoria claims a victim
Before joining Roberto De Zerbi in his Marseille adventure, Giovanni Rossi had almost only known senior management positions. Sports director of Sassuolo (2013-2017, 2018-2024) and Cagliari (2017-2018), he today no longer has the same importance in his team's transfer window. In Marseille, he held the position of team organizer. Clearly, he regularly exchanges with the OM coach on tactical needs and profiles that could match, but the last word remains between the lips of the Longoria-Benatia tandem, indicates L'Equipe.
Above all, his past experience as director of the training center at Juventus, between 2010 and 2013, allows him to have a precise analysis of the club's young players. The French sports daily concludes by explaining that Giovanni Rossi has the patience with these young people that Roberto De Zerbi does not always have. An Italian duo which gives a good look to the OM squad, today ranked 2nd in the championship with a match behind the competition.
