Roberto De Zerbi has heaped reward on Mason Greenwood in a gushing speech concerning the Marseille star, claiming his participant has turn out to be ‘world-class’ participant after constructing on ‘what his mom and father taught him’.
The previous Manchester United ahead, 24, left Outdated Trafford below controversial circumstances in the summertime of 2024 however has since revived his profession below De Zerbi, proving an integral a part of his first staff.
Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 and charged with tried rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault whereas taking part in at United, which led to him being banished from the squad and dropped by England’s nationwide staff.
Prices have been finally dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew their involvement, however Greenwood remained in exile at Manchester United earlier than finally being offered for £26.7million to Marseille.
Talking at a press convention on Friday, De Zerbi waxed lyrical about Greenwood’s impression on the staff, hailing how a lot he has matured after surviving ‘tough instances’.
‘We all the time want a Greenwood just like the one we noticed within the final two matches,’ the previous Brighton boss mentioned.
Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has heaped reward on Mason Greenwood in a gushing speech
Greenwood was labelled ‘world-class’ by the Italian, who hailed the ahead’s maturity
De Zerbi claimed that Greenwood is constructing on ‘what his mom and father taught him’
‘He is a world-class Greenwood as a result of, along with what his mom and father taught him, he is changing into an entire participant.
‘He is additionally had his share of adverse instances, however he did not go away and he stayed right here. He understood that we have been telling him issues for his personal good and for the nice of Olympique Marseille.’
Greenwood’s father and agent Andrew has performed a major function within the ahead’s profession up to now and lived with him in Spain when he first left Manchester United on mortgage.
The previous England worldwide spent six months on mortgage at Getafe between January and June in 2024 earlier than finishing a everlasting exit to Marseille.
Throughout his time in Spain, his mom Melanie remained in Bowdon, Cheshire, the place the star beforehand lived in England.
A report in March 2024 claimed that Greenwood was open to a return to England on the time, believing the transfer might assist ease strain on his dad and mom’ strained marriage.
At Friday’s press convention, De Zerbi continued to flatter Greenwood, insisting that he’s holding the ahead to a better normal than earlier than.
‘He is actually turn out to be a participant,’ the Italian added. ‘I hope he continues like this. I am threatening him with that, assuring him that he has to maintain going like this and that it is primarily for his personal good. As a result of I additionally see him as slightly extra human.
Greenwood left Manchester United below controversial circumstances in the summertime of 2024
He was arrested in January 2022 and charged with tried rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault – prices which have been later dropped after a key witness withdrew
His dad and mom Melanie Hamilton (proper) and Andrew Greenwood (left) pictured at court docket in 2022
‘He smiles generally, he talks a bit extra. He is much less withdrawn than earlier than. And that is a constructive factor. Now everybody can actually recognize Greenwood much more than earlier than.’
Up to now this season, Greenwood has chalked up 22 objectives and eight assists from 31 matches throughout all competitions for Marseille, establishing himself as a star participant for De Zerbi in assault.
Regardless of his goal-scoring file, there was loads of chaos at Marseille in 2026 up to now, sparked by the French staff’s disappointing exit from the Champions League.
Marseille have been dumped out of the match after failing to qualify for the play-off part, with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica leapfrogging them on aim distinction following a dramatic 4–2 victory over Actual Madrid.
De Zerbi, who reportedly handed in his resignation letter after Marseille’s 3-0 defeat by Membership Brugge, later admitted he will not be the ‘superb coach’ for the membership as he took partial accountability for his or her Champions League exit.
Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia furiously warned there can be ‘penalties’ for De Zerbi and the gamers, which the Italian addressed final week.
He mentioned: ‘We misplaced an necessary match. We’re out of the Champions League. We have to attempt to perceive.
‘Pablo Longoria (Marseille president) and Medhi Benatia, we spoke final night time. We met to attempt to discover the absolute best resolution. This match can be partly my fault. We’ll do every little thing to bounce again. I am nonetheless right here.’
