Didn't run from Putin's bombs, won't also leave Marseille: De Zerbi

Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi said Friday he had not thought of quitting after a home loss to Auxerre, recalling he had not fled Ukraine "when Putin bombed Kyiv".

Immediately after Marseille's 3-1 home loss to Auxerre on November 8, De Zerbi expressed his frustration.

"If I'm the problem, I'm ready to leave. I'll leave the money and return my contract," the 45-year-old Italian told the post-match press conference.

On Friday, De Zerbi referred to his time at Shakhtar Donetsk, based in Kyiv at the time, where he was coach when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

"If some people understood that I'm going to resign, don't worry. I'm not running away," he said. "I didn't even leave Ukraine when Putin bombed Kyiv."

"I have no intention of going anywhere," De Zerbi said.

"They were just the words of someone who assumes his responsibilities. We've played five matches at the Velodrome: one win, two draws and two defeats. So it's only natural that I should take on my responsibilities," he said.

De Zerbi left Shakhtar for Brighton in July 2022.

Marseille are currently third in Ligue 1, nine points behind leaders PSG, and travel to Lens on Saturday.