Nayef Aguerd in action for West Ham (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Champions League manager insisted on signing West Ham player

Originally posted on Caught Offside | By John Menzies | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 8:55 AM ET

West Ham have had a difficult to start to the season, but the same cannot be said for one of their former players. Nayef Aguerd, who departed on deadline day, has starred during the first few weeks of his Marseille career.

Aguerd had started West Ham’s first three matches of the season, but in the end, it was decided that he could leave. Marseille snapped him up, and as it turns out, they were absolute desperate to land his signature.

Roberto De Zerbi led Marseille efforts to sign Nayef Aguerd

As per Le10 Sport (via Sport Witness), Marseille sporting director Mehdi Benatia has revealed that Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi, formerly of Brighton, pushed very hard to sign Aguerd from West Ham.

“It’s not just because of me that he’s here. The truth is the coach wanted him! In the United States, when the coach saw him, he said, ‘Stop everything, I want Nayef Aguerd’.”

Furthermore, Aguerd also revealed that De Zerbi played a big part in his decision to sign for Marseille.

“Frankly, it’s linked to the coach’s style of play; all the credit goes to him. His philosophy suits me: I like to play high up the pitch, press, and dominate the game. That’s also why I came. There are experienced players around me, like Balerdi and Pavard. It’s easier to integrate when you’re playing with such quality.

“I would also like to thank the club, because they helped me adapt a lot. The players, the coach, and Medhi, whom I have known for a long time, all made my integration easier.”

Aguerd may be loving life at Marseille, but there is a chance that he could leave in 2026. Man United are said to be interested in bringing him back to the Premier League, and a move could be made next summer.

This article first appeared on Caught Offside and was syndicated with permission.

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