The volatile world of football management reached new heights when Marseille released explosive documentary footage showing their head coach Roberto De Zerbi in a dramatic confrontation with Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone. The incident, which occurred at the club’s prestigious La Commanderie training ground, has sent shockwaves through French football and highlighted the intense pressures within one of Europe’s most passionate clubs.
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The Explosive Confrontation That Ended a Marseille Dream
In scenes that have captivated football fans worldwide, Roberto De Zerbi was caught on camera losing his composure during a routine training drill when Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone was dispossessed of the ball. The Italian coach’s reaction was immediate and explosive, shouting “When I say reduce the touches, reduce the touches!” before dismissing Kone from the session with the now-infamous words “Call your agent, call your agent!“
The 23-year-old Kone, who had arrived at Marseille as the club’s marquee signing for £15 million from Championship side Watford, found his French adventure cut dramatically short. As Kone walked off the pitch, De Zerbi continued his tirade, shouting at him to contact his representative immediately. This prompted Kone to turn around and defend himself, saying “I didn’t say anything” as he walked towards the Italian coach.
The Background to the Breakdown
Kone’s journey to Marseille had been remarkable. The Ivory Coast-born midfielder moved to Canada at age seven and developed through Montreal’s youth system before making his professional debut with CF Montreal in 2022. His breakthrough came at Watford, where he made 63 appearances and scored four goals in the EFL Championship, earning a market value increase of 66.7% during his time in English football.
The midfielder’s stock rose further when he represented Canada at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, appearing in all three of the team’s matches and earning recognition as Canada Soccer’s Young Player of the Year. However, his dream move to Marseille quickly turned into a nightmare.
De Zerbi’s Controversial Management Style at Marseille
The training ground confrontation was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of Roberto De Zerbi’s intense management approach at Marseille. Following a recent 3-1 defeat to Reims, the Italian coach ordered his players to spend the night at the La Commanderie training ground and cancelled their rest days, leading to a player revolt when he later refused to take a training session himself.
In the documentary’s confessional interviews, De Zerbi defended his approach, describing Kone as “one of the players with the most potential at Olympique Marseille, but who didn’t always behave well, someone who had highs and lows that were too big for a player who is ready for Olympique Marseille.”
The Technical Director’s Perspective
Marseille’s technical director Mehdi Benatia, a former Bayern Munich and Juventus defender, appeared uncomfortable when discussing the incident. “It was a moment like that,” he said.
“Isma knew… what can I say? He knew. He’s not a bad guy. He arrived at Olympique Marseille and I don’t think he realized, when he arrived from Watford, Olympique Marseille isn’t on Level 2, it’s actually on Level 5. Maybe he thought it would be easy.“
The Immediate Aftermath and Transfer Consequences
The training ground incident had immediate and far-reaching consequences for both parties involved. By February 2025, just eight months after his arrival, Kone was loaned to Rennes for the remainder of the season, and by July 2025, he found himself on loan at Serie A side Sassuolo. The £15 million investment had effectively been written off within a single season.
Performance Analysis: Marseille Under De Zerbi
Despite the controversies, De Zerbi’s tactical approach has shown promising signs of development at Marseille. The transformation hasn’t been flashy, with metrics slowly shifting toward more passes per sequence, fewer long balls, and more touches in the middle third. Players are becoming less pressured and more focused, though gaps between ideas, tactics, and execution still need to be filled.
| Metric | Before De Zerbi | Under De Zerbi | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Success Rate | 78% | 82% | +4% |
| Possession % | 52% | 58% | +6% |
| Long Balls per Game | 45 | 32 | -13 |
| Middle Third Touches | 180 | 220 | +40 |
The Wider Impact on French Football
The incident has raised questions about modern football management techniques and the balance between intensity and player welfare. When players questioned whether such erratic leadership would be tolerated at elite clubs like Bayern Munich or Juventus, it highlighted the unique pressures and expectations at Marseille.
The documentary footage has also sparked debate about transparency in football, with Marseille’s decision to release such sensitive material dividing opinion among fans and pundits alike.
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FAQs
What exactly happened in the training ground incident between De Zerbi and Kone?
Roberto De Zerbi exploded at Ismael Kone during a training drill when the Canadian midfielder was dispossessed. De Zerbi shouted at him to reduce touches and sent him for an early shower while yelling “Call your agent, call your agent!”
How much did Marseille pay for Ismael Kone?
Marseille paid approximately £15 million to sign Kone from Watford in the summer of 2024, making him one of their most expensive signings.
Where is Ismael Kone playing now?
Kone is currently on loan at Serie A club Sassuolo, having previously been loaned to Rennes earlier in 2025 after his Marseille stint ended.
Has Roberto De Zerbi had other controversies at Marseille?
Yes, De Zerbi has faced criticism for his management style, including forcing players to sleep at the training ground after a defeat and later refusing to take training himself.
What was Kone’s background before joining Marseille?
Kone was born in Ivory Coast but moved to Canada at age seven. He developed through CF Montreal’s system before moving to Watford in the Championship, where he made 63 appearances and established himself as a key player before his move to France.
