After a brief stay in Marseille, Roberto de Zerbi returned to Italy. OM did sign an agreement in principle with the Italian coach, but a last minute problem slowed down the formalization.
By announcing last Monday that they had reached an agreement with the former Brighton coach, the leaders of Olympique de Marseille made their supporters happy. And this happiness was accentuated when on Wednesday, Roberto de Zerbi physically arrived in the Phocaean city, OM having warned everyone of the arrival of the 45-year-old technician. Yes, but the agreement in principle did not result in the signing of a contract and Roberto de Zerbi left Marseille without saying a word. Enough to revive the rumors about a possible problem, the Sergio Conceiçao case having shown that anything is possible in football. However, according to the Italian media, if the operation is dragging on, it is because of an administrative and financial problem.
Taxes at the heart of the slowdown between OM and De Zerbi
Pablo Longoria has agreed in principle to pay Brighton 6 million euros to bring in Roberto de Zerbi. Just as he validated the salary of the Italian coach, namely 7 million euros per season, a record for Olympique de Marseille, as well as the arrival of several members of De Zerbi’s staff, and even Giovanni Rossi , who will become sporting director of OM. However, the French tax system is not the same as in Italy and even less than that in England, and for the moment, it is this administrative and financial part which is blocking the formalization of De Zerbi’s arrival in Marseilles. As long as this part related to the taxes that will be paid as part of this operation is not resolved, nothing will be made official. However, on the side of Antonio Parrotto, journalist for Sassuolonews.net, we would like to reassure the supporters of Olympique de Marseille regarding this recruitment of one of the most coveted coaches in Europe.
In his media, our Italian colleague displays absolute confidence and has no doubt, Roberto de Zerbi will be the coach of OM next season. No alarm however, we immediately reassure OM supporters (…) De Zerbi will be the new OM coach (…) No apprehension therefore despite the desire of Marseille supporters to quickly review their new coach at the Vélodrome. Besides, isn’t the expectation of pleasure in itself a pleasure? », Slips Antonio Parrotto mischievously, who encourages Marseille fans to be a little patient.
