Roberto De Zerbi reportedly showed his Marseille players the Manchester United contract offer he rejected to inspire the Ligue 1 side.
The Italian was linked with a move to United earlier this year, but ended up joining Marseille instead. However, according to L'Equipe, the former Brighton manager used a projector to show his Marseille players a copy of the contract that had been offered to him by the Red Devils. The 45-year-old man reportedly said he put “ passion before money » to come to the Marseille giants.
United ultimately retained Ten Hag and extended his contract until 2026, before dismissing him at the end of October. Now Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim will succeed him at Old Trafford, with the Portuguese facing a tough task at the struggling Premier League giants.
A formal contract
De Zerbi admitted on Friday that he was “ ready to leave » Marseille after their poor 3-1 home defeat against Auxerre. “ I have to take responsibility for this defeat at home. We are having difficulties at home, that’s clear. I don't know if it's a lack of courage or personality. I came here to play at the Vélodrome because I wanted to have this experience. If the problem is me, I'm good to go. I'm leaving without the money, I don't care about the rest. I don't want to make excuses and talk nonsense. I'm not going to run away, we have to face reality. This is what I have to do,” he told reporters after the defeat.
Amorim's first match in charge of United will be at Ipswich Town on November 24, but before then caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will be on the bench for Sunday's clash against Leicester City.
