Marseille Appoints Beye as New Coach Following Struggles

Marseille is making a significant change in hopes of revitalizing their season by welcoming a new head coach.

Change at the Helm

After a disappointing stretch that led to their exit from the Champions League and a 12-point deficit to Ligue 1 leaders Lens, the nine-time French champions have named Habib Beye as the replacement for Roberto De Zerbi.

Beye, a former Senegal international and ex-Marseille player, is set to lead the team in their upcoming match against Brest on Friday.

Having successfully guided Red Star to promotion to Ligue 2, Beye was dismissed from his position as head coach at Rennes earlier this month.

Need for a Turnaround

Marseille’s recent form has been troubling, with the team failing to secure a victory in their last three league matches, severely denting their championship aspirations. The situation escalated after a heavy 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, leading to outrage among supporters. The club anticipates that Beye’s disciplined approach, which emphasizes ball possession and an aggressive attacking style, will provide the necessary spark.

Habib Beye was introduced as Marseille’s new coach on Thursday.

Commitment to Progress

Frank McCourt, the owner of Marseille, expressed that Beye’s appointment reinforces the club’s focus on the remaining challenges this season. Since taking over in 2016, McCourt has seen the club struggle with instability marked by frequent coaching changes and a lack of success, with the last league title won in 2010.

In a surprising twist, sporting director Medhi Benatia returned to the club on Tuesday, just two days after resigning following De Zerbi’s exit. McCourt announced that Benatia would oversee sporting activities until the season’s conclusion.

Benatia voiced his support for Beye’s hiring, stating, “The decision to bring Habib Beye on board aligns perfectly with our aim to find a leader who can motivate a team in need of rejuvenation after a tough period.” He added that Beye demonstrated strong commitment and focus from their initial meetings, emphasizing the clear goals of quickly returning to winning form, aiming for a Ligue 1 podium finish, and striving to clinch the Coupe de France for the supporters in Marseille.