Ligue 1: Habib Beye Named Marseille Coach After Rennes Sacking

Beye takes the reins at Marseille

Marseille appoints former captain Habib Beye as new coach after Roberto De Zerbi's departure. Beye looks to turn the team around in Ligue 1.

Beye will be officially unveiled on Thursday before his first game in charge on Friday, away to Brest...

Marseille has appointed former captain Habib Beye as their new coach, just over a week after he was sacked by Rennes. Beye, 48, takes over from Roberto De Zerbi, who left the club after a 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Beye, a former Senegalese international, had a playing career that included stints at Newcastle United and Aston Villa. He'll be officially unveiled on Thursday and faces his first game in charge on Friday against Brest, with Marseille currently fourth in Ligue 1.

He takes over a team which lies fourth in France's Ligue 1 with 12 games of the season remaining, five points adrift of Lyon in third and 12 behind leaders Lens.

The top three qualify automatically for next season's Champions League, with fourth entering in the third qualifying round.

Beye will be officially unveiled on Thursday before his first game in charge on Friday, away to Brest.

Former Senegal international full-back Beye had been in charge of Rennes for just over a year having previously been coach of lower-league side Red Star, and he also worked as a prominent pundit on French television.

He played for Marseille from 2003 to 2007, notably featuring alongside Didier Drogba in the team that lost the 2004 UEFA Cup final to Valencia.

Habib Beye's appointment as Marseille's new coach is seen as a great move, with the club citing his “deep attachment to Olympique de Marseille and his intimate knowledge of the environment in Marseille” as major assets in taking the club forward. The 48-year-old former captain played for Marseille from 2003 to 2007 and has now taken the reins from Roberto De Zerbi, who left after a 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Beye's arrival comes after his severance deal with Rennes was finalized, and they appointed Franck Haise as his successor. Haise, 54, has signed a contract until 2027 and previously guided Lens to the Champions League group stage.

Olympique de Marseille announces the appointment of 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐛 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐞 as head coach of the first team. ✍️

Welcome home, 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐛 🔙💙 pic.twitter.com/6GlBpr2x02

— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) February 18, 2026

Franck Haise has signed a contract with Rennes until 2027, taking over from Beye after the latter's dismissal with the team in 6th place in Ligue 1. Haise, 54, brings experience, having led Lens to the Champions League group stage in 2023/24 after a runners-up finish in Ligue 1 last season.

Franck Haise is back in Brittany, returning to Rennes after a six-year stint in the academy (2006-12). He recently left Nice, where he managed 16 league games with just 5 wins.

“It's a joy to return to Rennes, a true pleasure, with my staff, to join such a great club,” Haise said, excited about his new role.