“He’s an as**ole”- American coach slams Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi over mistreatment of Ismael Kone at Marseille

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has come under heavy criticism after Canada coach Jesse Marsch publicly accused him of mistreating midfielder Ismael Kone during their time together at Olympique de Marseille. Marsch defended the Canadian international and claimed Kone faced a difficult environment under the Italian coach during his spell in France. The comments have again placed De Zerbi in the spotlight after several controversial moments during his managerial career.

The issue resurfaced after old footage from a Marseille training session went viral online. In the clip, De Zerbi appeared furious with Kone after the midfielder lost possession during a practice drill. The coach shouted at the player and reportedly ordered him to leave the session. The heated exchange quickly attracted criticism from fans and football experts. Marsch also said Kone remained mentally strong despite the situation. He noted that the youngster is now proving his quality with strong performances in Italy.

Jesse Marsch defends Ismael Kone after explosive Marseille training incident

Jesse Marsch strongly supported Ismael Kone while speaking about the midfielder’s development with the Canadian national team. The American coach said the player struggled emotionally during his time under De Zerbi at Marseille but never lost confidence in himself. Marsch explained that Kone handled the difficult situation professionally and continued working hard to improve his game.

The former Leeds United manager suggested that De Zerbi treated the midfielder unfairly during training sessions. Marsch added that Kone stayed focused despite the tension around him. He said he eventually found success after moving away from Marseille. He praised the midfielder for showing maturity and determination during a challenging period in his career.

The controversy first gained attention after footage showed De Zerbi angrily confronting Kone on the training ground. The Marseille coach appeared upset with the midfielder for taking too many touches on the ball during a drill. Reports claimed De Zerbi told Kone to leave training and sarcastically suggested he contact his agent. Coaching staff and teammates were later seen calming the situation.

De Zerbi later admitted that Kone had great potential. However, he questioned whether the player was fully prepared mentally for the demands of Marseille. Despite the criticism, Kone has rebuilt his confidence since leaving the French club.

The 23-year-old midfielder first joined Marseille from Watford in a deal worth around £15 million. After struggling for regular opportunities, he later moved on loan to Stade Rennais before joining US Sassuolo Calcio. Kone has enjoyed an impressive season in Italy, scoring six goals in 33 matches and becoming an important player for the club.




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