Podcast Summary: The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Will De Zerbi return to the Premier League?
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Ayo Akimilere
Guests: Tom Williams, Liam Tharm, James Horncastle

Overview

This episode unpacks the controversial and abrupt end to Roberto De Zerbi's time at Marseille, exploring the reasons for his departure, the turbulent club culture at OM, and De Zerbi's reputation and future prospects—particularly whether a return to the Premier League or a move to a top European side is likely. The discussion features in-depth tactical breakdowns, reflections on the volatility at Marseille, and whether De Zerbi’s strengths can overcome his perceived limitations at the very highest level.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Chaos at Marseille and De Zerbi’s Exit

(02:01 – 06:25)

• Tom Williams explains that Marseille's instability is nothing new; the club lurches from promising periods to chaos regularly.
• The supposed stability of the Longoria-Benatia-De Zerbi triumvirate was shattered after player bust-ups and disastrous results.
  • “Just when you think that you're heading towards a period of stability, things have a capacity to just blow up… That's exactly what has happened.” (Tom Williams, 02:54)
• De Zerbi’s position became untenable after a humiliating Champions League exit and a record 5–0 defeat by PSG in Le Classique.
  • “The camera just kept zooming in on De Zerbi… he looked like a beaten man.” (Tom Williams, 05:25)
• Sporting Director Mehdi Benatia left, then returned with more power than before; Marseille continues to specialize in “absolutely ridiculous U-turns.”

2. The Significance of Le Classique and Club History

(06:25 – 08:28)

• Marseille’s record against PSG, especially since the 2011 takeover, has been poor.
• PSG’s recent Champions League triumph has stripped Marseille of their unique European status, further denting club morale.
  • “They used to meet up every year… to watch PSG getting knocked out… so that was a bitter pill to swallow.” (Tom Williams, 07:20)
• Recent results suggested Marseille were closing the gap, but a devastating defeat shattered this illusion.

3. De Zerbi’s Approach and Patterns of Success and Collapse

(08:28 – 14:02)

• Liam Tharm identifies De Zerbi's volatility as both an asset and a liability.
  • “The highs are really, really high… the lows feel a lot worse.” (Liam Tharm, 09:26)
• De Zerbi’s teams start explosively but are often ‘worked out’ by opponents. The Champions League collapse was statistically improbable and emblematic of his tenure's unpredictability.
• High squad turnover and perpetual tactical tweaks made consistency impossible, with 33 different starting XIs in 33 games.
  • “It’s just very hard for a team to get any sense of coherence...” (Tom Williams, 11:54)
• Exceptional football was seen in flashes, but when it went wrong, it went spectacularly wrong, particularly against top opposition.

4. Impact on Marseille’s Season and Financial Realities

(14:02 – 19:38)

• Uncertainty as to how the squad and season will react; Marseille have a recent history of wild fluctuations in league position.
  • “You never quite know what's coming next... but you know something’s coming.” (Liam Tharm, 14:17)
• Ligue 1's status as a ‘selling league’ and recent TV rights disasters have made financial stability challenging, forcing Marseille to sell talented youth early.
  • “French clubs’ earnings from TV rights has just completely vanished…” (Tom Williams, 16:27)
• Club is more financially stable than in past years, but at the cost of on-field consistency and building around youth.

5. De Zerbi’s Tactical Suitability and Suitors

(22:28 – 25:24)

• De Zerbi’s football is thrilling but defensively porous and risky; his tenure at Brighton and Marseille followed similar arcs of innovation, excitement, and eventual exposed weaknesses.
  • “He doesn’t really play risk-averse football… it’s a phenomenal kind of highlights reel, but at the same time, you look at the goals they concede…” (Liam Tharm, 23:20)
• Admired by top coaches (Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique) for his attacking philosophy, but not yet proven for elite, trophy-demanding clubs.
  • “He has very high-profile backers in the coaching community… but the knock on Roberto is that he doesn’t win things.” (James Horncastle, 33:38)

6. Legacy at Marseille and How He’ll Be Remembered

(25:27 – 29:16)

• De Zerbi will be remembered fondly by fans for connecting emotionally and bringing Champions League football back, but also as an emblem of spectacular, ultimately unsustainable passion.
  • “The supporters saw all that… and that helped with the Zerbi’s myth…” (Tom Williams, 26:44)
  • “It’s not bad, but I don’t think Marseille as a club… have room for ‘not bad’.” (Liam Tharm, 29:16)
• The club’s ultra-demanding standards and volatility meant a long-term project was always unlikely.

7. Will He Get a Big Job Next?

(33:23 – 44:56)

• James Horncastle and Tom Williams debate whether De Zerbi is suited to the top European jobs: questions remain over temperament, defensive security, and adaptability.
  • “Everything that has happened since De Zerbi joined Marseille has been entirely predictable…” (Tom Williams, 35:41)
  • On “big jobs”: “You are there to develop the players… prepare matches… win football games and that’s it. [Modern owners] don’t want a coach that has a voice.” (James Horncastle, 33:55)
• Not likely to walk straight into a top Premier League or top-four club job.
  • “I’d be surprised if he walked straight into… one of the biggest jobs in European football.” (Tom Williams, 37:58)
• A return to Italy—perhaps with Milan or Juventus—is mooted as more plausible than a Premier League return.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Just when you think that you're heading towards a period of stability, things have a capacity to just blow up in everyone's faces. And that's exactly what has happened.” (Tom Williams, 02:54)
• “The highs are really, really high… the lows feel a lot worse than the highs do.” (Liam Tharm, 09:26)
• “He picked 33 different starting 11s in 33 games… it's very hard for a team to get any sense of coherence.” (Tom Williams, 11:54)
• “You never quite know what's coming next. You know something's coming, but you never quite know what.” (Liam Tharm, 14:17)
• “He doesn’t really play risk-averse football… it’s a phenomenal kind of highlights reel.” (Liam Tharm, 23:20)
• “It basically went exactly as everyone thought it would... It has simultaneously revealed all of his strengths but shown up all of his weaknesses.” (Tom Williams, 35:41)
• “The knock on Roberto is that he doesn’t win things… Are we prepared to hire someone as challenging as Antonio Conte, but doesn't have the track record of Antonio Conte?” (James Horncastle, 33:55)
• “I'd be surprised if he walked straight into… one of the biggest jobs in European football.” (Tom Williams, 37:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:01 — The situation at Marseille and De Zerbi’s exit
• 06:25 — Le Classique significance and Marseille-PSG rivalry
• 08:28 — De Zerbi’s style, volatility, and repeating patterns
• 14:02 — The impact on Marseille’s season and the club’s financial health
• 22:28 — De Zerbi’s tactical legacy, suitability for big jobs
• 25:27 — Marseille supporters’ view and De Zerbi’s legacy
• 33:23 — What next for De Zerbi? Premier League and big club prospects
• 44:12 — Where he might end up next; Italy as a possible destination

Conclusion

This lively conversation paints a picture of De Zerbi as an inspired but risky choice: uniquely charismatic, able to produce thrilling football, but a coach whose teams remain susceptible to implosions and whom the elite may view as too volatile for the very biggest jobs—at least for now. Marseille’s struggles and selling-club reality gave De Zerbi little chance for sustained building. While a Premier League return isn’t ruled out, a move to a historic Italian club seems more likely in the near future.