Emerson: De Zerbis People-Centric Approach Resonates with Players

Marseille defender Emerson Palmieri dos Santos shared his thoughts on his time at the club after joining the Olympians on September 1, 2025.

«My debut against Lorient was supposed to be just another game, but from that day on, I realized I was in a unique environment. Two weeks prior, I had already given [Roberto] De Zerbi the green light; the clubs needed to reach an agreement. I felt a bit anxious, worried that the deal might fall through, but the coach and [Mehdi] Benatia (the sporting director of Marseille. — Ed. of ‘Championat’) were so eager to have me that they were willing to wait until the very last moment.

Coach De Zerbi is a remarkable individual. Throughout my career, I have worked with many trainers, but I have never encountered anyone quite like him. He brings a passion to the pitch that I have never seen before. He values people, and players can sense that: you can talk to him about anything. He’s not just a coach; he’s someone who truly understands you. Even before I arrived in Marseille, he assured me that if my family or I needed anything, he would always be there to assist,” Emerson told Calciomercato.