Rothen Slams De Zerbi‘s Rabiot Comments: “You Can’t Buy class”
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – Former France international Jérôme Rothen delivered a scathing critique of Olympique de Marseille coach Roberto De zerbi following the Italian’s recent comments regarding Adrien Rabiot, stating, “You can’t buy class… He had the prospect to be classy.” The outburst,aired on RMC sport,centers on what Rothen and fellow pundit Éric Di Meco perceive as a contradictory and damaging shift in De Zerbi’s public stance towards the Juventus midfielder.
Di Meco echoed Rothen’s sentiment, labeling De Zerbi’s communication as “average” and highlighting a ”total lack of consistency.” The controversy stems from De Zerbi’s remarks in Corriere dello Sera this Thursday, where he stated, “I had never seen that and I come from the street. But it did us good, because the club chose to do without Rabiot, who did not want to take a step back.” This contrasts sharply with previous statements, including praise for Rabiot’s “professionalism and personality” last year, as recalled by both Rothen and Di Meco.
Di Meco pointed to a previous indication from De zerbi of a willingness to “repair things” with Rabiot,questioning the abrupt change. “He said he wanted to repair things, and today he tells us that ultimately it is good news for OM and that OM is better without Rabiot,” Di Meco stated. “De Zerbi didn’t need to make this exit… you must be bigger than that. rabiot doesn’t say anything terrible. Three months before,he said that Rabiot was like his son. It’s weird.”
Rothen expressed disbelief at the justification offered – a supposed “fight” – for the team being stronger without Rabiot.”Today he explains that the team is stronger without him, because of a fight? I am stunned,” he said. both analysts agree that De Zerbi’s evolving narrative has been confusing and ultimately disrespectful.
