Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has mounted a staunch defence of Mason Greenwood, reaffirming his support for the striker even as the controversy surrounding the player’s past continues to swirl.
De Zerbi’s remarks, made during recent press conferences, highlight a complex balance between personal belief in Greenwood and an insistence on professional accountability.
Greenwood, 22, joined Marseille from Manchester United in 2024 under a cloud of public scrutiny. He had previously faced serious allegations of assault and domestic violence, charges which were later dropped, but his reputation remained deeply polarising.
From the outset, De Zerbi made clear that he viewed Greenwood not only as a world‑class talent, but also as someone deserving of a second chance.
“When a player becomes my player, I am the first to pin him to the wall when he makes a mistake,” De Zerbi said, defending Greenwood in a way that drew on parental imagery. “But, to the outside world, I will always defend him like he’s my son.”
He added that once Greenwood joined Marseille, he would treat him with the loyalty and protection he reserves for family.
That loyalty has extended into the more fraught terrain of public morality. The signing was fiercely criticised by some quarters, including Marseille’s own mayor, Benoît Payan, who called Greenwood’s past behaviour “unbecoming” and urged the club to reconsider.
But De Zerbi doubled down. “I don’t know what happened, and I am not used to getting involved in my players’ private lives,” he said during the initial stages of the transfer speculation. He insisted that the club conducted its due diligence, emphasizing that Marseille’s president had thoroughly assessed Greenwood’s background before moving forward.
In more recent comments, De Zerbi sounded both protective and regretful. Speaking ahead of a Champions League tie, he described Greenwood as “a very different person” from how he had been portrayed in the English media. “He’s a good person,” De Zerbi declared. “When I look at him, it saddens me what happened to him, because I know a different person to the one described in England.”
He characterized Greenwood as reserved and introverted, noting that he has “paid a heavy price” and is now in an environment where he is supported and understood.
Yet De Zerbi’s defence of Greenwood is not unconditional praise. The Italian coach has also expressed frustration at Greenwood’s inconsistency and occasional lack of discipline.
After a dip in Greenwood’s performance, De Zerbi publicly warned him, saying his attitude had become a concern. “He’s too inconsistent, like the waves,” he told reporters. He has called for more decision-making clarity, suggesting that Greenwood needs to sacrifice more and deliver more, even as he continues to be Marseille’s top scorer.
One technical gripe has also stood out: De Zerbi criticized Greenwood’s work at set-pieces. “He’s not a corner‑kick specialist … when he goes to take a corner, he goes a bit like … and that annoys me,” the coach admitted. Despite that, De Zerbi insists Greenwood has the potential to evolve in that role, though his primary focus remains on scoring.
To underscore his personal investment in Greenwood’s success, De Zerbi revealed that the England forward was the first player he contacted when he became Marseille’s coach. He even spoke directly with Greenwood’s father, warning him about the demands and expectations at the club: “OM is OM,” the manager said.
He emphasized that the club would be relentless in pushing Greenwood to improve, but always within a framework of familial support and respect.