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The Ligue 1 season is underway, and for Olympique Marseille, it started with a lot of fireworks on and off the pitch.

Under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, surrounded by a squad of rejects and castaways, the club looks ready to challenge PSG for the throne.

How has a coach touted for the biggest jobs in Europe ended up in a team full of players with questionable pasts and controversial histories? 

We go into the details about the “Suicide Squad” playing for Roberto De Zerbi at Olympique Marseille.

Olympique de Marseille Infamous Reputation

Olympique de Marseille (also known as OM) is one of France’s most successful teams, and it is proudly the only French club to win the UEFA Champions League in 1993.

With this proud feat comes a series of controversies and disputable events associated with the club.

A match-fixing scandal involving then-president Bernard Tapie tarnished the club’s 1993 Ligue 1 title, sullying their continental success.

It was revealed that the club’s officials bribed players from Valenciennes to lose a match. This cast a negative feel on the club’s legacy, further increasing the disgrace after the scandal led to their relegation to Ligue 2.

Marseille’s acquaintance with drama goes beyond the white lines. 

Patrice Evra once infamously kicked a fan before a Europa League game, forcing the club to terminate his contract.

Dimitri Payet, a fan favorite yet polarizing figure, has had his encounters with fans, increasing the feud between players and supporters.

Joey Barton mocked the French by taking up a fake French accent during his short stint at the club.

The Brandão controversy in 2011, during which the striker faced assault allegations, saw Olympique Marseille react with displeasing silence, placing priority on his availability on the pitch rather than accountability.

This series of events resonate with the nature of a club that embraces the absurd.

In spite of these scandals, Olympique Marseille’s passionate fan base has been the club’s best asset, and its stern judge has ensured that the institution is not only a football club but also a “drama club” — the FC Hollywood of France.

So it was no surprise that when the doors of Europe closed on Mason Greenwood, the city of Marseille welcomed him with open arms and gave him a new football godfather in De Zerbi.

Roberto De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi has made a name for himself in football management, often associated with short stints and raw opinions.

At Marseille, his tenure has already shown moments of tension, openly stating challenges faced just months after putting pen to paper.

De Zerbi also has a track record of clashing with club officials, which often led to his dismissal, as seen in his time at Sassuolo and Brighton.

This pattern of unfriendly relationships is evident at OM, where the dramatic environment might overshadow his need for control expressions.

His off-the-pitch remarks have also been the source of questionable feelings.

Recently, he generated ill remarks when he commented on Mason Greenwood’s debut, stating that the forward has “put everything behind him” after he faced allegations of sexual assault.

The quote drew stern criticism considering how sensitive the topic of discussion was and highlighted his impulsive nature with regard to his responses to questions.

A club famously known for its polarizing atmosphere with a manager known for the dramatic seems like a recipe for unnecessary problems.

His tendency to escalate issues rather than de-escalate them might be costly, considering how demanding the clubs’ fanbase and boardroom can be.

While his tactical brilliance is commendable, his inability to surf the waves of political complications in football management could make his stint at Marseille another short chapter in his career.

Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood‘s stint at Marseille has been eventful and polarizing. No matter how far he travels or the number of goals he scores, the past will continue to haunt the former Manchester United player.

Despite initial backlash from fans and public figures, including Marseille’s mayor, Greenwood has found success on the pitch, becoming a standout performer with impressive goal contributions.

Under coach Roberto De Zerbi, Greenwood has become a key player, earning the admiration of teammates and fans for his performances.

This places him amongst Ligue 1’s top goal contributors thus far, averaging 0.8 goals and assists per ninety minutes.

Greenwood’s early success at Marseille, both in terms of goals and popularity, has made him a focal point of their current season, despite lingering criticism from some sections of fans and media.

Amine Harit

Amine Harit was involved in a legal case in 2018 after he was involved in a vehicular manslaughter incident in Marrakesh, which led to the tragic demise of a 28-year-old civilian.

This generated different opinions from several sources, with a substantial percentage of those sources insisting on a punishment fit for the crime committed.

He later received a fine for the accident, along with a suspended four-month prison sentence.

This incident led interested parties to question his focus and professionalism, but Harit has since been on the positive side of the law.

He has been able to rebuild his career, having positive spells at Schalke and currently at Marseille.

This season under Roberto De Zerbi, Harit has been a crucial piece of the tactical puzzle.

De Zerbi’s ultra-attacking approach relies on intelligent, creative midfielders, and Harits fits the profile of midfielders as dynamic playmakers.

His role involves orchestrating the attack, linking midfield and forwards, and exploiting spaces with his flair and dribbling.

Working in tandem with midfield partners like Geoffery Kondogbia and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, they have been able to provide a balance that fits the tactical approach of the team, both offensively and defensively.

Elye Wahi

Elye Wahi’s off-the-field conduct has been questionable due to a series of morally wayward incidents.

During his time at Montpellier, in September 2021, he was accused of assaulting a 22-year-old lady outside a nightclub in Lattes, France. He allegedly hit the lady after an altercation, which resulted in a police complaint.

The victim reportedly suffered a nose injury and required medical attention, leading to a brief absence from work.

Wahi’s club did not issue an official statement on the matter, and the authorities did not immediately question him.

Additionally, during his stint at Montpellier and earlier in his career, his conduct in the professional and social scene raised questions about his maturity and discipline.

Reports suggested other behavioral inconsistencies, but details remain suggestive and unclear.

This season for Marseille under De Zerbi, he has contributed to the overall success of the team.

With just two goals and one assist in the league thus far, Wahi’s work rate has been visible on the pitch.

Clubs and fans often weigh his disciplinary record against his potential on the pitch, reflecting the broader debate on accountability versus talent in professional sports.

Adrien Rabiot

Adrien Rabiot’s career has been marked by several attitude issues and controversies, both at club and national levels.

During his time at PSG, he clashed with the club hierarchy and management after refusing to sign a new contract. 

He was further suspended from training for the first time and subsequently training with the club’s reserves.

His suspension followed a visit to a nightclub, and his social media activity after a frustrating Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United did not endear him in the eyes of the fans and the club.

On the international stage, Rabiot’s attitude has also caused some disarray within the French national team setup.

In 2018, he refused to be a fringe player for the selected squad to represent Les Bleus, much to the displeasure of coach Didier Deschamps and the French Football Federation.

His mother, Veronique Rabiot, who is also his agent, has not done him much favors with respect to controversies. She has been in open disputes with managers and players’ families.

For example, she criticized the families of Kylian Mbappé and Paul Pogba during France’s Euro 2020 campaign.

Rabiot’s career reflects a mix of immense talent and questionable professionalism.

While his performances for clubs like Juventus and PSG have been commendable, his inability to avoid off-the-field distractions and clashes remains a constant occurrence in his career.

Currently, in Marseille, there has not been any harmful or questionable event involving him.

Neal Maupay

Neal Maupay has been tagged football’s “king of shithousery” as a result of his frequent run-ins with opponents and fans alike.

His on-the-field involvements range from mocking rival players to fostering smart provocations that often seem like unsportsmanlike conduct.

For instance, Maupay’s feud with Arsenal is infamous.

In 2020, he injured goalkeeper Bernd Leno in a very nasty collision, which led to a heated post-match altercation with Matteo Guendouzi, who was at the receiving end of disciplinary action for grabbing Maupay by the neck.

Maupay, owing to his usual character, justified his actions by insinuating that the Arsenal players lacked humility.

Despite his skill to unsettle opponents, he seemed to struggle to back his words with his actions, performing below par for a mid-level striker.

Maupay’s time at Brighton and later Everton was more memorable for his Twitter spats than his impact on the field.

His move to Brentford offered glimpses of his potential, but his tendency to underperform in critical moments has followed him throughout his career.

His time at Marseille has not been different in terms of his goal-scoring exploits.

Maupay’s mix of enthusiasm and chaos has made him a divisive figure. Ultimately, his reputation is a mix of entertaining provocation and unmet expectations.

Piere-Emille Hojbjerg

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been a crucial player for Marseille, combining his tactical discipline and mental coordination needed to pilot a volatile set of players.

Arriving on loan from Tottenham, Hojbjerg quickly integrated into Roberto De Zerbi’s system, earning admiration for his precision in passing and his ability to dictate tempo in midfield.

Arguably one of the top defensively astute holding midfielders in Europe, he is a player capable of breaking attacking plays, intercepting passing lanes, and launching attacks for his team.

His composure under pressure and leadership qualities have been invaluable, especially for a Marseille team with a history of emotional outbursts on and off the field.

Hojbjerg’s impact extends beyond the pitch.

His experience allows him to mentor and guide younger players, aligning with Marseille’s emphasis on nurturing talents who can compete at the highest levels in Europe.

He could be the glue holding the Suicide Squad together.

As a natural leader, he serves as a bridge between experience and youthful exuberance, often deputizing as captain and leading by example with his displays on and off the pitch.

Tactically, De Zerbi relies on Højbjerg to implement his high-intensity, possession-based style.

The Danish international thrives in a dual midfield role, where he complements more dynamic players like Adrien Rabiot, balancing offensive creativity with defensive solidity.

This tactical balance has played a significant role in Marseille’s positive start to the season, making Hojbjerg indispensable to their Champions League aspirations.

Can the Suicide Squad Dethrone PSG?

Marseille fans and hierarchy demand excellence, thereby amplifying the stakes for both success and failure.

This zeal can galvanize players but also crush those who fail to meet expectations.

De Zerbi’s tactics and a squad of outcasts can catapult Marseille ahead of PSG as the best club in France.

Should he succeed, it could cement De Zerbi’s place among Marseille’s revered figures; failure, however, might draw their infamous anger.

The club’s recent trend of signing outcasts—players with controversial pasts but undeniable talent—is financially savvy, allowing the club to acquire undervalued assets.

However, it raises moral questions about prioritizing performance over accountability.

This strategy risks alienating fans who value integrity as much as results.

Adding to this narrative, rumors of Paul Pogba joining Marseille emerge despite his now-cleared doping allegations.

His arrival would symbolize another gamble, blending stardom with controversy. But no doubt, Pogba will boost sales and profit for Olympique de Marseille.

And who knows, he might be the missing piece to help the Suicide Squad end the dominance of post-Mbappe PSG in France.