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Canada Coach Jesse Marsch Calls Tottenham’s Roberto De Zerbi 'A Real A**hole' Over Ismael Kone’s Treatment

The rebuke highlights Kone’s rebound at Sassuolo following a fraught stint at Marseille.

Overview

  • Jesse Marsch used the Call It What You Want podcast Wednesday to call Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi “a real a**hole” for how he handled Ismael Kone at Marseille.
  • Marsch said De Zerbi ordered Kone off a Marseille practice field and told him to “call your agent” after the midfielder missed a tactical cue.
  • Kone left France for Sassuolo in July 2025 on an initial loan that became a reported €10m permanent move, and he scored six Serie A goals in 32 games this season.
  • Marsch credited gains in Kone’s discipline, preparation, and decision-making as key to the midfielder’s progress with club and country.
  • De Zerbi now manages Tottenham during a fight near the bottom of the Premier League table, while Kone is viewed as a key Canada starter heading into the 2026 World Cup.