Olympique de Marseille have identified Habib Beye as their leading candidate to replace Roberto De Zerbi, but negotiations are currently complicated by the coach’s ongoing dispute with Stade Rennais.
Beye was dismissed by Rennes earlier this week, just one day before De Zerbi’s own departure form Marseille was confirmed. The timing appeared to align perfectly for a swift appointment in Marseille, where the former right-back remains a popular figure following four seasons at the club between 2003 and 2007.According to La Provence and L’Équipe Beye is seeking compensation equivalent to 18 months’ salary – the maximum duration of his contract. Although his deal was due to expire in six months, it included a one-year option triggered by European qualification. At the time of his dismissal, Rennes sat sixth in Ligue 1, occupying a provisional UEFA Europa Conference League spot.Rennes, for their part, are reportedly considering pursuing a dismissal for gross misconduct, citing internal grievances. A conciliation meeting with the LFP is expected next week in an attempt to resolve the impasse. Until that dispute is settled, OM are unable to formalise any agreement.Questions over timing of contact with BeyeFurther controversy surrounds the timeline of Marseille’s interest. Some sources suggest initial contact may have been made in late January, shortly after OM’s Champions League elimination in Bruges, and before Rennes’ Coupe de France victory at the Vélodrome intensified internal tensions within the Breton club. Marseille have officially denied any improper approach to La Provence. Sporting director Medhi Benatia reportedly met with Beye in Paris on Thursday, before leaking to the press that OM were interested in Igor Tudor (now named Tottenham interim) and Morocco national team coach Walid Regragui, according to L’Équipe. Club president Pablo Longoria reportedly holds ‘excellent relations’ with Beye’s agents, and will be meeting OM owner Frank McCourt at the Vélodrome in a meeting on the new coach before Marseille face Strasbourg this afternoon. Beye’s managerial résumé remains limited. He took charge of Rennes in January 2025 with the club 16th and guided them to a 12th-place finish. This season, he had lifted the side to sixth before his abrupt dismissal.Marseille interim coach Jacques Abardonado currently holds the reins for his second spell in temporary charge following Roberto De Zerbi’s departure from the club earlier this week.