By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
Olympique de Marseille have begun their search for a new head coach following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, with reports naming former coach Habib Beye and Nigeria Super Eagles boss Éric Sékou Chelle among the leading candidates for the vacancy. The Italian coach and ex-Brighton manager left his role “by mutual agreement” after Marseille’s heavy 5–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and an early Champions League exit, the club confirmed in an official statement.
Marseille’s announcement cited a collective decision by club leadership, including the owner, president, sporting director and De Zerbi himself, to part ways as they seek to address sporting challenges late in the Ligue 1 season. The club currently sits fourth in the table, needing a management shake-up to strengthen their bid for European qualification.
According to reports from AfricaSoccer.com and other outlets, Habib Beye, the former RC Lens and Stade Rennais coach and ex-Marseille defender, has emerged as the early favourite to take over at the Stade Vélodrome. Beye’s strong connection to the club, having played for Marseille between 2003 and 2007, and his recent availability after parting ways with Rennes has put him high on the club’s list of options.
In addition to Beye, Super Eagles head coach Éric Sékou Chelle is reportedly among the candidates under consideration, according to multiple sports news outlets. Chelle, who made history as the first non-Nigerian African to manage Nigeria’s national team, is said to be on Marseille’s radar as the club explores different managerial profiles to guide the squad through the remainder of the season.
At this stage, no official appointment has been made, and Marseille are expected to confirm the new coach in the coming days as they prepare for league and domestic cup matches. Beye’s strong ties to the club’s history and his familiarity with French football reportedly make him the frontrunner, with Chelle also generating buzz due to his tactical reputation and recent international success.
Roberto De Zerbi’s departure leaves Marseille at a critical juncture, and the choice of successor will be seen as a defining decision in the club’s push for domestic stability and European competition.