Marseille women’s fast start under Nicolas Chabot fuels top-four talk behind Lyon and PSG | OneFootball

A rapid rebuild under 31-year-old Nicolas Chabot has Marseille’s women emerging as genuine contenders behind Lyon and PSG.

According to L'Équipe, a senior figure in the women’s game flagged OM as a serious project during Paris-SG’s 5-1 win over Frankfurt on 2 September. Les Marseillaises have won their first two league games, 1-0 against Le Havre then 2-1 over Lens, a first since 1981. A top-four finish, and play-offs, seems within reach as early as May 2027.

Chabot succeeded Corinne Diacre, was named LFFP coach of the season after finishing fourth with Nantes, and has reshaped the squad, 17 out and 15 in. Recruits include Maëlle Garbino from Paris FC, Julie Thibaud from Leicester and Claire Lavogez from Real Sociedad, mixing experience with promise.

General manager Stefano Petruzzo targets improvement on ninth place and a durable, competitive project to lodge OM among the leading clubs. The team often play in Martigues, and last season’s Montpellier visit on 28 March drew a Première Ligue record 35,713. In 2026-2027 they will return to the Vélodrome for one match.

Chabot’s side won 3-0 at Montpellier in the League Cup and head back to Hérault on Saturday at 21:00. Nelly Da Cruz Rodriguez, who followed Chabot from Nantes with Maureen Cosson, goalkeeper Emily Burns and Louise Fleury, says focus will be high and the earlier cup win changes nothing at La Mosson.

Source: L'Équipe

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