'I'm ready to leave' - Roberto De Zerbi threatens to QUIT Marseille job after dire home defeat to newly-promoted Auxerre - as Mason Greenwood scores penalty in vain

Marseille suffered a second-consecutive poor home loss against the newly-promoted side despite Mason Greenwood finding the back of the net. Auxerre were dominant at Stade Velodrome and took a convincing three-goal lead in the first half. In the second half, the hosts pulled one back when ex-Manchester United man Greenwood scored for the second game in a row from the penalty spot, however, the visitors eventually walked away with all three points.

Former Brighton boss De Zerbi shouldered the blame for Marseille's humiliating defeat in front of their fans in his post-match press conference, claiming he is ready to leave the job if necessary just three months after moving to France from England. Les Phoceens have managed to win just one game out of their five home matches in the 2024-25 campaign as they find themselves six points adrift of league leaders Paris Saint-Germain - whom they lost 3-0 to in their previous game at the Velodrome.

Speaking to reporters, the manager said: "I have to take responsibility for this home defeat. We have difficulties at home, that’s clear. I don’t know if it’s a lack of courage or personality. I came here to play at the Velodrome because I wanted to live the experience. If the problem is me, I’m ready to leave. I’m leaving without the money, I don’t care about the rest. I don’t want to make excuses and talk nonsense. I’m not going to escape, we have to face reality. That’s what I have to do.

"Playing at the Velodrome is a privilege. I have to transfer my passion for football to the players. At PSG, we played with ten men, it’s true. But what I saw with 11 against 11 did not please me. There are performances that are not good at home. Away, we have had good performances, in Toulouse, Montpellier, Nantes."

He added: "We can’t talk about this second place. I have to be able to give, to transmit something. I live for things that transcend football. I repeat, if I’m the problem, I have to leave. Money is nothing to me. It’s the gratification of the work that is important. I don’t have bad things to say about my players. If I leave, I leave my heart, my soul."

The French giants will be back in action after the international break as they face Lens in an important Ligue 1 fixture away from home on November 23.