De Zerbi: Gasperini can do well anywhere, but he took the blame for others at Inter Milan

De Zerbi accepted an exclusive interview with Corriere della Sera and talked about his experience coaching Marseille and other topics.

In a recent documentary about Marseille, you once shouted an unusual sentence to the players: "For me, football is a kind of social salvation." What is the story behind this sentence?

My purpose in playing football is to improve my family’s life. From 1992 to 1994, my family encountered an economic crisis. The day after signing my first five-year contract with Milan, I went to the bank to sign a mortgage and bought a house for my parents. For me, football has never been just a pastime.

When you were a player, did this kind of pressure ever make you overwhelmed?

It has made me lose something, but it has also given me a lot. I relied on that drive to survive: it was both the engine that propelled me forward and the shackles that held me back—because when I finally got my family’s life settled, I hit a motivation slump. But that way of looking at work has stayed in my heart like a push.

Is Marseille particularly special to you?

Yes, I don’t know if I am the best coach for Marseille, but Marseille is definitely the ideal place for me - because the value given to football here is irreplaceable: for 90 minutes, all social contradictions will be temporarily forgotten. You can really feel this feeling.

There is an unfriendly comment in the football circle, saying that De Zerbi is always self-righteous when coaching...

I have proven many times that I am not self-righteous in coaching, on the contrary. I like capable players and want them, and I firmly believe that players are more important than coaches when it comes to game results.

There is another comment, saying: De Zerbi is too "crazy" and not suitable for a top club...

I really didn't spend much time communicating with the management, but in Marseille, I established the best relationship in my career with Chairman Longoria and Sports Director Benatia.

Marseille recently defeated Paris Saint-Germain, and lost to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu only because of two penalty kicks...

We played very courageously in the loss to Real Madrid. The victory against Paris was the first time for Marseille in many years, but this will not have a decisive impact on the league standings. We have been very successful in the transfer market this summer and the level of the team has also improved.

Did you almost go to Bayern before coaching Marseille? Also, has AC Milan had any contact with you?

Talking about this matter, I think it may not be respectful enough to the parties involved, but I did have some contact with Bayern. As for Milan, never.

Do you miss Italy?

Yes, I am Italian and I have been following Serie A closely, but I am also very comfortable abroad.

The youth training of Italian football is facing a dilemma. What do you think of this matter?

Only in Italy, the youth training system treats losing as a 'tragedy'. And many talented players often mature relatively late, and we need to give them more time.

What do you think of the fierce competition among the top teams in Serie A?

I'm happy for Gasperini. He took the blame for someone else at Inter Milan, and some people labeled him as "unqualified to coach a wealthy team." But in fact, he can do well anywhere. Naples is still very competitive, Inter Milan and Milan are also playing well. It's really great that we can see such fierce competition.