Habib Beye to Marseille a serious option but arrival still uncertain | OneFootball

Habib Beye’s appointment at Marseille remains a live possibility, but his presence at Brest on Friday is uncertain amid club turmoil and a dispute with Rennes. According to L'Équipe, the process was held up by Medhi Benatia’s announced resignation, later withdrawn, and a legal row.

By Saturday, the succession to Roberto De Zerbi had been mapped out and Benatia was due to meet the Senegalese on Monday. On Sunday he announced his resignation, and the dugout became a secondary concern. Clarity arrived on Tuesday morning via owner Frank McCourt’s statement, which kept Benatia in post and revived talks expected to conclude that day.

McCourt told the players that the former defender would be their next coach, tasked with chasing a Ligue 1 podium and a Coupe de France triumph. On Tuesday Beye headed south, but at 14:15 he was in a video call with the LFP legal commission regarding his 9 February dismissal from Rennes.

There was no conciliation, and the timetable complicates matters. Beye must receive his dismissal letter before signing, while Rennes have one month from a 12 February meeting to notify termination, potentially keeping him sidelined until 12 March, although neither party has an interest in prolonging it that far.

Beye has agreed an 18-month contract and is ready to start quickly, yet he is not certain to take the bench on Friday. Marseille feared on Tuesday night they would be without him in Brittany, where De Zerbi began in August 2024 with a 5-1 scoreline. Pancho Abardonado continues as interim after Saturday’s 2-2 with Strasbourg, and Marseille are five points off third-placed Lyon, who visit on 1 March.

Source: L'Équipe