Jesse Marsch Critiques Tottenham’s De Zerbi Over Treatment of Player
Canada national team coach Jesse Marsch has publicly criticized Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi, accusing him of mistreating Sassuolo midfielder Ismael Kone during their time together at Olympique Marseille. Marsch’s comments have sparked significant interest in the football world.
Marsch shared his thoughts on the Call It What You Want podcast on CBS Sports Golazo America when discussing players who have improved under his guidance with the Canadian national team. He highlighted Kone, a 23-year-old who has impressed this season at Sassuolo, netting six goals in 32 league appearances after joining on loan for €2.5 million, subsequently making the move permanent for an additional €10 million.
However, Marsch’s praise for Kone turned into a sharp critique of De Zerbi. The coach recalled an incident where De Zerbi publicly humiliated Kone during a training session, instructing him to leave the field and contact his agent about finding a new club after Kone failed to comply with directions. Marsch expressed his view on how this experience impacted Kone, stating:
“It wasn’t easy with De Zerbi and Marseille. De Zerbi was a real, real unpleasant person with him, and he stayed strong. He never doubted himself. He found a new situation, and now look at him flourishing. Let me reiterate. De Zerbi was a real a**hole with him.”
Marsch acknowledged the importance of Kone’s character and determination in his journey. He added:
“Going to Italy and playing for a team that was newly promoted, and having to fight through a situation like that in a very organised league, he’s played an incredibly important role. Not just from what I’ve done with him and what the national team has done with him, but also what he’s been able to achieve in his career, and the steps he’s been able to make through difficulty.”
De Zerbi Faces Pressure at Tottenham
Marsch’s remarks come at a challenging time for De Zerbi, who is dealing with significant pressure as he works to pull Tottenham out of the Premier League relegation zone with only three games left in the season.
De Zerbi has characterized his coaching style as demanding and uncompromising, which may not suit every player. Kone’s experience, as described by Marsch, serves as a reminder that the intensity which makes De Zerbi an engaging and transformative coach can also lead to friction that some players are less equipped to handle.