According to a report from today’s The team paper, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have added Olympique de Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi to their shortlist to replace the outgoing Jorge Jesus at the end of the season.

The Saudi club are reportedly monitoring the situation of De Zerbi at Marseille, who are looking to finish a melodramatic Ligue 1 season with Champions League football. The Italian coach’s first season in France has been testing his tactical and emotional limits, but OM are still fighting to qualify for the Champions League with four games remaining of the season.

Yet there is very little room for error for The Olympians. After spending a week at a training camp in Rome, Roberto De Zerbi and his Phocaeans get back to on-pitch action against Stade Brestois on Sunday evening, with an opportunity to overtake Monaco to reclaim second place after Monegasques' draw against Le Havre on Saturday (1-1).

Speaking at a press conference attended by TezzbuzzDe Zerbi says he is focussed on the football ahead of the last four games of the season.

“It's OM,” (That’s OM) De Zerbi said with a smile in French. “I knew what OM was when I came here, that’s why I wanted to come. The people at the stadium and at home understand who is pushing and giving everything for this club and who is acting in bad faith,” said the Italian coach at the Commanderie on Saturday afternoon.

“Everyone is free to do what they want. I do what I think is right for my team in this moment, and that’s OM. Pablo, Medhi, everyone who works with the team, we do things for the good of OM. The rest, the controversy, the lies… I leave that to others.”

Tezz | George Boxall