Olympique Marseille’s search for a successor to Roberto de Zerbi is over: Habib Beye takes over the fourth-placed team in Ligue 1. The controversial thing about this is that Beye lost his coaching job at Stade Rennes, a direct competitor for European places, just last Monday.
After Olympique Marseille was defeated 5-0 by rival PSG in Le Classique just under two weeks ago, OM officials did not wait long to take action. Only two days after the defeat, the club announced overnight that it was parting ways with former successful coach Roberto de Zerbi.
Now they have found his successor in Habib Beye. The French-born Senegalese was recently dismissed by Stade Rennes after a five-game winless streak, including a 3-0 defeat in the cup against his predecessor De Zerbi.
The dismissal came as something of a surprise, given that Beye had taken over Stade Rennes, who were in acute danger of relegation, in early 2025 and subsequently led them to a secure mid-table position. This season, Rennes are even in contention for European places and, despite their winless streak, are still in a good position in sixth place, which would mean Conference League play-offs. Habib Beye will now try his luck one level higher in Marseille. With the team currently fourth in the table, he is tasked with securing qualification for the Champions League. OM also has justified hopes in the cup, as the club is in the quarterfinals after defeating Beye’s Rennes in the round of 16 and will host Toulouse there. In addition, PSG, the top favorite for the trophy, has already been eliminated.
Benatia wants trophies under Beye
“The choice of Habib Beye as the new coach of OM is fully in line with our desire to sign a coach with the necessary leadership qualities who can take charge of a team that clearly needs new motivation after a difficult period on the pitch,” said sporting director Mehdi Benatia, who recently made headlines with his resignation and then his withdrawal of his resignation, in the statement. “Right from our first discussions, he impressed me with his great commitment and clear focus on the future, with clear goals for everyone: to quickly get back on track, aim for a place on the Ligue 1 podium and try to win the Coupe de France to bring a trophy to the people of Marseille.”
Beye is no stranger to Marseille, by the way. The 48-year-old played at right back for OM between 2003 and 2007.
