Franc0-Senegalese manager Habib Beye is currently out of the race for the Olympique Marseille coaching job following the resignation of sporting director Medhi Benatia.
The French Ligue 1 giants are without a substantive coach following the departure of Roberto de Zerbi last week amid the club’s inconsistent performance.
Marseille has been thrown into further turmoil just days after the departure of former Brighton and Hove Albion manager.
The former Morocco defender confirmed on Sunday he had formally submitted his resignation on 9 February, the same day De Zerbi left though the announcement was only made public after Marseille’s 2-2 draw with RC Strasbourg at the weekend.
Benatia’s exit effectively ends the club’s pursuit of Beye, who had been a leading candidate to replace De Zerbi. The process of finding a successor had reportedly created tension between Benatia and club president Pablo Longoria, with both distancing themselves from responsibility over Beye’s potential appointment.
While still in his role, Benatia had continued negotiating with prospective managers, with one internal scenario involving offering Beye a short-term deal until the end of the season, with an extension contingent on Champions League qualification. With Benatia now gone, that pathway has reportedly been closed.
Responsibility for appointing De Zerbi’s successor now rests solely with president Longoria, leaving the next chapter for Marseille firmly in his hands.
