Roberto De Zerbi has moved quickly to cool speculation linking him with the Manchester United job, insisting his full concentration remains on his current task at Marseille as the French side prepare for a pivotal Champions League clash.
The Italian coach, who took charge at Marseille in June 2024 after his impressive spell with Brighton in the Premier League, has recently emerged as one of the names touted as a potential long-term option at Old Trafford.
With Michael Carrick in place as Manchester United’s head coach until the end of the season, the rumour mill has gathered pace around possible successors.
However, speaking ahead of Marseille’s high-stakes European encounter against Liverpool on Tuesday, De Zerbi made it clear that any discussion beyond his present responsibilities is firmly on the back burner.
“My focus is totally on Marseille,” he said. “I wanted to come here.
“The day before a very important, very crucial game, I have no space in my head to think about other things.
“I feel very well in this city with these players, with this club.
“As for the future, we have got to speak in the next month, in the next year, I don’t know.”
In football terms, De Zerbi’s message was a clear one: the immediate match takes priority over distant possibilities.
With the Phocaeans navigating a demanding European schedule and pushing for progress on multiple fronts, the Italian tactician appears determined to keep his squad locked in and avoid distractions from outside noise.
While speculation around Manchester United is unlikely to fade anytime soon, De Zerbi’s stance suggests any conversations about his future will wait until the right moment.
For now, the focus remains on the pitch, where results, not rumours, will ultimately shape what comes next.
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