Habib Beye Becomes New Marseille Coach on 23 February 2026 to Help Team Reach Top Three

Habib Beye is the new coach for Marseille as of February 2026. This is his second big coaching job after leaving Rennes earlier this month.
By Newsroom | Sports, Marseille |

Coaching Shift at Marseille

Olympique de Marseille has appointed Habib Beye as their new first-team coach, following the mutual departure of Roberto De Zerbi. The club officially announced Beye's signing on February 23, 2026, eight days after confirming De Zerbi's exit. Beye, a former OM player, arrives at the club after his dismissal from Stade Rennais on February 9, 2026, due to a string of poor results. His appointment comes at a moment of "transition" for Olympique de Marseille, described as a "demanding and passionate job."

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Beye's diagnostic of the club's issues extends beyond the immediate coaching role, with observations suggesting problems that "exceed even the coach." He appears to frame the club's recent history – marked by numerous changes in presidents, coaches, and players – as inherently "not promising." This perspective, reportedly mirroring his approach during his time at Canal+, sets a critical tone from the outset.

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Immediate Challenges and Uncertain Future

The new coach faces a stark reality: his tenure may be precarious, with some reports suggesting he could be a "luxury interim" and his position uncertain beyond the summer. His recent experience at Rennes concluded with administrative conciliation attempts before the League's legal commission. The club itself is described as being "in crisis" but still in contention for a podium finish. Beye's immediate focus is on the "three months we have left" and is already addressing on-field decisions, such as the captaincy, with a match against Olympique Lyonnais on the horizon.

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Background: A Former Player's Return

The appointment of Beye, 48, follows weeks of speculation after Roberto De Zerbi's departure. =His name was among those reportedly considered, including Éric Chelle, the current Nigeria national team coach.= Beye has prior coaching experience, leading Paris club Red Star FC to a third-tier title before his spell at Rennes. He made 167 appearances for Olympique de Marseille over four seasons during his playing career. The club's majority owner, Franck McCourt, was present in Marseille to finalize Beye's appointment, underscoring the significance of the decision.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Marseille hire Habib Beye on 23 February 2026?
Marseille hired Habib Beye because Roberto De Zerbi left the club on February 15. Beye is a former player who played 167 games for the team and wants to help them finish in the top three this season.
Q: What happened to Habib Beye at his last job in Rennes?
Habib Beye lost his job at Rennes on February 9, 2026, because the team had many bad results. He is now starting a new job at Marseille just two weeks after leaving his old team.
Q: Will Habib Beye stay as the Marseille coach after the summer of 2026?
Some reports say Beye might only be a temporary coach until the summer. His future at the club depends on how the team performs in the final three months of the season.
Q: Who else did Marseille think about hiring before Habib Beye?
Marseille looked at other coaches like Éric Chelle, who currently leads the Nigeria national team. Owner Franck McCourt visited the city to make the final choice to hire Beye instead.