Following Roberto De Zerbi's exit, Olympique de Marseille finds itself at a pivotal juncture in its search for a new head coach. The club's gaze has reportedly settled on Habib Beye, a former player deeply familiar with Marseille's spirit. Yet, this potential appointment is entangled in a complex web of contractual disagreements, historical intrigue, and strategic maneuvering, painting a vivid picture of the high-stakes world of European football management.
Marseille's Coaching Quest: A Glimpse into the Habib Beye Negotiations
In a fascinating turn of events, Olympique de Marseille has identified Habib Beye as the prime candidate to fill the vacant managerial role, left open by Roberto De Zerbi's recent departure. This development, occurring shortly after Beye's dismissal from Stade Rennais, initially suggested a seamless transition for the former Marseille right-back, who retains significant popularity among the club's fanbase due to his four impactful seasons from 2003 to 2007.
However, the path to Beye's potential appointment is fraught with complications. Reports from La Provence and L’Équipe indicate that Beye is locked in a contentious dispute with Rennais, seeking a substantial 18 months' worth of salary as compensation. This figure stems from his contract, which, despite being six months from expiration, included a one-year extension option contingent on European qualification. At the time of his unexpected dismissal, Rennais occupied a provisional UEFA Europa Conference League spot, ranking sixth in Ligue 1.
Adding another layer to this intricate situation, Rennais is reportedly contemplating pursuing a dismissal based on gross misconduct, citing various internal grievances. A crucial conciliation meeting with the LFP is scheduled for the upcoming week, aimed at resolving this impasse. Until this matter is settled, Marseille is legally constrained from formalizing any agreement with Beye.
Further scrutiny surrounds the timing of Marseille's initial overtures to Beye. Whispers suggest that contact might have been established as early as late January, following Marseille’s Champions League elimination in Bruges, and even before Rennais' Coupe de France triumph at the Vélodrome further exacerbated internal tensions within the Breton club. Marseille has vehemently denied any improper approach, as reported by La Provence.
Sources from L’Équipe reveal that Marseille's sporting director, Medhi Benatia, held a meeting with Beye in Paris on Thursday. Interestingly, this meeting was reportedly followed by strategic leaks to the press, suggesting Marseille's interest in other high-profile candidates, including Igor Tudor (now the interim Tottenham coach) and Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui. Club president Pablo Longoria is said to maintain 'excellent relations' with Beye's representatives and is slated to meet with Marseille owner Frank McCourt at the Vélodrome to discuss the new coaching appointment before Marseille's upcoming match against Strasbourg.
Beye's managerial experience, though promising, remains relatively limited. He took the reins at Rennais in January 2025, when the club was languishing in 16th place, and successfully guided them to a 12th-place finish. This season, prior to his abrupt departure, he had elevated the team to sixth in the league standings. Currently, Jacques Abardonado serves as Marseille's interim coach, undertaking his second temporary stint following Roberto De Zerbi’s departure earlier this week.
The unfolding saga surrounding Habib Beye's potential move to Marseille highlights the intricate dance of negotiations, legal battles, and strategic PR in the football world. It underscores how personal histories, contractual obligations, and team ambitions converge to shape the future of iconic clubs.
