Habib Beye no longer in contention to replace Roberto De Zerbi following Medhi Benatia resignation

Habib Beye will not become the next head coach of Olympique de Marseille following the resignation of sporting director Medhi Benatia, according to a report from Libération.

The Marseille hierarchy has been plunged into further instability just days after the departure of Roberto De Zerbi. On Sunday, Benatia confirmed that he had formally submitted his resignation on 9 February – the same day as De Zerbi. Yet the decision was not made public until after Marseille’s 2-2 draw against Strasbourg this weekend.

According to Libération journalist Grégory Schneider, Benatia’s exit effectively ends the club’s pursuit of Habib Beye, who had emerged as a leading candidate to replace De Zerbi. The report highlights that the process of replacing De Zerbi had become a point of tension between Benatia and OM president Pablo Longoria. Both men are said to have distanced themselves from responsibility regarding the potential appointment of Beye.

Benatia already submitted his resignation yet reportedly continued to negotiate with potential managerial candidates in recent days. One scenario discussed internally reportedly involved offering Beye a short-term contract until the end of the season, with Champions League qualification acting as a trigger for an extension beyond June. However, with Benatia now gone, that pathway appears closed.

With Beye no longer expected to join, the responsibility for appointing De Zerbi’s successor now rests squarely with president Longoria.

GFFN | George Boxall