Ethan Nwaneri in middle of Marseille chaos as chief resigns after manager’s decision

Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri has found himself in a difficult position at Marseille after his mid-season loan

The situation at Olympique de Marseille has deteriorated rapidly over recent days. Arsenal loaned promising talent Ethan Nwaneri to the Stade Velodrome for the remainder of the campaign, but the 18-year-old has walked into an increasingly turbulent environment.

There were promising signs at first, with Nwaneri netting just minutes into his debut for the club. However, matters have since unravelled, with the French side crashing out of the Champions League after the league phase while losing both their manager and sporting director in quick succession.

Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian manager responsible for bringing Nwaneri to the Mediterranean coast, saw his position come under scrutiny following a collapse in the final two games in Europe. His tenure ended shortly afterwards, and he left in the wake of a comprehensive loss at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite De Zerbi’s departure, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta remained confident that Nwaneri’s loan move remained the right decision for the player. “For sure one of the reasons [Nwaneri was sent to Marseille] was Roberto, but as well it was Marseille, and what Marseille as a club and as an environment brings to Ethan, and I think that’s going to be still very positive,” Arteta said.

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Jacques Abardonado took temporary charge on Saturday as Marseille welcomed Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Strikes from Mason Greenwood and Amine Gouiri put them 2-0 ahead and they remained two goals to the good with with 20 minutes remaining, but the away side fought back to claim a draw when Sebastian Nanasi pulled one back before Joaquin Panichelli levelled with a last-gasp penalty

Nwaneri remained an unused substitute for the entire match, with Abardonado opting to give Bilal Nadir an unexpected start in the attacking midfield position. When Abardonado looked to his bench, it was fellow January arrival Himad Abdelli who was introduced, raising doubts about how the next permanent boss might view Nwaneri’s prospects for the remainder of the campaign.

The turmoil at Stade Velodrome has not escaped the attention of Marseille’s fanbase. According to La Provence, some supporters tried to access the presidential suites at the ground before being stopped by security personnel.

Supporters had earlier voiced their discontent with the club’s hierarchy, with the same outlet pointing to banners and chants demanding resignations were visible throughout the stadium. And any fans desperate for Benatia to leave the club got their wish before the end of the weekend.

“I am leaving with the feeling that I have done my utmost on a professional level, but with regret that I have not been able to calm the environment around the team,” Benatia posted on social media, as translated by BBC Sport. Earlier reports suggested he had tried to resign earlier in the week, with club officials turning down that attempt, but the former Morocco international has now departed.

He continued: “Despite recent setbacks and some cruel sporting scenarios, the project is moving forward. But I cannot ignore the current climate. I feel a growing dissatisfaction, a rift that I deeply regret. In Marseille, results are the only judge.”

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Marseille, who briefly sat atop Ligue 1 during De Zerbi’s tenure, now find in a distant fourth place following a third consecutive match without victory. Nwaneri will be hoping Sunday’s drama isn’t an indication of what lies ahead, with the club now facing the task of appointing both a new sporting director and a new manager.

Former Marseille and Newcastle centre-back Habib Beye had been linked with potentially replacing De Zerbi in the hot seat. According to French media reports, though, Beye was Benatia’s man and the Moroccan’s departure means the club will now pursue alternative candidates.

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