In a growing saga at Marseille, former Manchester United player Mason Greenwood appears to be entangled in a dispute with the French club’s hierarchy, while manager Roberto De Zerbi has been forced to address rumours of his potential resignation.
Since making a permanent move to the Ligue 1 side for approximately £26m in 2024, which included a hefty 50% sell-on clause, Greenwood has experienced a mix of highs and lows. The Manchester United alum, who departed under a cloud due to discontinued legal proceedings related to serious charges, has made a notable impact on the pitch with 42 goals and 12 assists in 65 matches. However, recent reports indicate that all is not well off the field.
L’Equipe has reported that Greenwood is currently at odds with Marseille’s director of football, Medhi Benatia, with claims that the young forward has ‘openly ignored’ the club chief, seemingly unconcerned by any potential fallout from his actions.
This internal friction comes amid a challenging spell for Marseille, who have suffered consecutive 3-0 defeats to Liverpool and Club Brugge, effectively ending their Champions League aspirations for the season. In the wake of these setbacks, Benatia expressed his displeasure, stating: “Tonight is a professional foul. I’ve seldom felt such shame in my career.”
Amidst this turmoil, Foot Mercato suggested that Roberto De Zerbi, who has been linked with managerial positions at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, offered his resignation following the loss to Club Brugge. However, the manager has since set the record straight, reaffirming his commitment to the club.
De Zerbi, poised for a clash against Paris FC, stated: “We’ve lost an important match, and we’re out of the Champions League. But I’m here to ensure we get back on track. Conversations with Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia were productive, and I’m determined to remain at Marseille for the long haul.”
He went on to dispel any notion of unrest: “I’ve maintained strong relationships with my players. There’s no friction, and I’m here for the foreseeable future, driven by my passion for the club.”
As Marseille look to steady the ship, all eyes will be on both Greenwood and De Zerbi to see how they navigate these turbulent times and restore harmony and success to the club.