Roberto De Zerbi Admits He Was Betrayed By Inter Milan And Calls Italian Football Arrogant

JAKARTA - Coach Roberto De Zerbi revealed that he was betrayed by Inter Milan and never wanted to contact him. The Olympique Marseille coach also called Italian football arrogant so he failed in the Champions League and lost in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Norway.

De Zerbi is outspoken about Inter who betrayed him. This Italian Serie A elite club never contacted him again even though there had been a meeting to negotiate as Inter coach.

"Inter never contacted me," said De Zerbi in response to rumors that he would replace Simone Inzaghi as Inter coach.

"I've actually discussed who the players are on the team. I've also visited club owners in Miami. When I'm committed, it means I'm ready to work fully," he said again.

"But I seem to have been betrayed. The problem is that there is no contract so I can't do anything. If I have shown respect and honesty but no reply, it's better for me to leave," said the former Brighton and Hove Albion coach.

Even though he is an Italian, De Zerbi does not hesitate to criticize football in the country, not only the club but also the national team. Inter's disrespectful attitude towards him is proof that clubs in Italy are arrogant. Including underestimating the quality of Ligue 1 France. No wonder De Zerbi was not taken into account even though he brought Marseille to second place in Ligue 1.

However, all eyes finally opened up after Inter were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain 5-0 in the Champions League final. Although not surprised by PSG's success in winning, De Zerbi did not expect Inter to lose a landslide of up to five goals without reply.

"Inter is actually a big team and Inzaghi is one of the best coaches. But losing up to five goals is too much," said De Zerbi.

"The problem is that Italian football doesn't know anything about PSG. And they are very arrogant. They don't know what to do from the first minute of the game. They don't know that Ousmane Dembele is always near the penalty area to anticipate wrong passes or [Desire] Doue who has talent like Lamine Yamal, although not entirely the same," explained the 47-year-old coach.

"Even they don't know that Vitinha is actually the best midfielder in the world right now. They also don't know anything about [Joao] Neves or [Willian] Pacho. In Italy, they don't take into account if I bring Marseille to be Ligue 1 runners up. They do ignore the French League and don't know how difficult it is here," he said.

De Zerbi also reminded that football was very difficult because of its equal ability. And that's what happened in Oslo when Norway slaughtered Italy 3-0. The defeat led to the dismissal of coach Luciano Spalletti.

The defeat, according to De Zerbi, showed football had decreased. Even their level is below Norway which has Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.