Olympique de Marseille has announced the arrival of Habib Beye, former captain of the club, as coach. This appointment comes shortly after his dismissal from Stade Rennais, another Ligue 1 club. Beye succeeds Roberto De Zerbi, whose departure was precipitated by a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Habib Beye, 48, takes over a team currently ranked fourth in Ligue 1, 12 points behind leaders Lens. The main objective will be to qualify for the next Champions League, with the top three in the league automatically qualifying, while the fourth must go through a preliminary round. Beye was officially unveiled on Thursday, and his first game in charge resulted in a 2-0 defeat to Brest.
Before joining Marseille, Beye coached Red Star FC, which he led to the Championnat National title in 2024, and had a more difficult spell at Stade Rennais. His time in Rennes lasted just over a year. As a player, Beye wore the colors of Marseille from 2003 to 2007, participating in the UEFA Cup final in 2004 alongside Didier Drogba.
The choice of Beye is seen as bold, particularly because of the low number of black coaches in European leagues. According to an analysis by Dr. Claude Kana, a football historian, only five black coaches are currently in post in the major European leagues. Kana points out that while competence is paramount, Beye's appointment is a strong signal in a context where diversity is a major issue.
Club owner Frank McCourt underlined Beye's deep attachment to Olympique de Marseille, believing that his knowledge of the Marseille environment will be a major asset. Beye himself expressed his joy at returning to Marseille, stressing that this is a different mission from the one he experienced as a player.
Despite a difficult first match, Habib Beye's arrival has generated a great deal of hope among Marseille supporters, who see him as a leader capable of revitalizing the team and leading it to new successes. His career, both as a player and as a coach, testifies to his determination and passion for football. His experience as a sports consultant has enabled him to sharpen his analysis of the game and his tactical vision.
Defeated for his debut on the bench of Olympique de Marseille, Habib Beye experienced a nightmarish first in Brest. Roberto De Zerbi's successor has already entered the history of the Bouches-du-Rhône club.
