Habib Beye speaks on taking charge at Marseille: ‘Another step in my career’

Habib Beye has revealed his readiness to handle French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille, after he was handed the button on an interim basis.

The 48-year-old signed a contract with the club until June 2027. Sacked by Stade Rennais last week, Beye came in to replace Roberto De Zerbi and marks his return to his boyhood club as a coach.

Welcome to Marseille 𝐇𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐛 🤝 pic.twitter.com/T2HaLWa5IS

— Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) February 18, 2026

“I’m very happy to be here. You know how attached I am to this club. This is another mission I’ve been given today,” said Beye in first interview since joining the club.

‘This is another step in my career’

“I experienced it as a player and now as a coach. But beyond that, we need to put the emotions aside and tell ourselves that in forty-eight hours we’ve only been able to impact what we could in the preparation for this match. But I think the staff has prepared well.

“What’s certain is that we’ve tried to influence things, even if our impact is limited because we have so little time. We’ll have more time in Spain, and that’s a good thing for the club and the staff to connect with the players and get to know each other.”

Asked whether it was too soon to handle Marseille, he responded: “There’s no perfect moment, no timing, no shoulders broad enough. I’ve built myself up over time and gained experience in the National league.

“I haven’t asked myself if I have anything to prove to anyone. If I’m here, it’s because I’ve worked hard to be here. I have to prove once again that this work will allow me to take Olympique de Marseille to the highest level.”

On whether he was ready, he replied: “Yes, I’m ready because I don’t believe the team is struggling. At my previous club, I arrived in a very negative situation, and we managed to turn things around. I believe there’s a strong desire to work here.

“I gained experience in lower divisions and then in Ligue 1. This is another step in my career, and I’ll have to live up to it.”

Marseille fired Roberto De Zerbi after PSG defeat

Marseille had parted ways with Roberto De Zerbi after the club fell 5-0 to their arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain. Marseille are currently fourth in the table with 40 points as they aim for a UEFA Champions League spot next season.

Beye helped Stade Rennais avoid relegation upon his arrival last season, but results have not been satisfactory this campaign. The Brittany-based club are sixth with 34 points and failed to progress to the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France.

Born in France, Habib Beye represented the Senegal national team, earning 45 caps between 2001 and 2008.

Formed at Paris Saint-Germain, he played in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg and Marseille. From 2007, he spent five years in England, with Newcastle United and Aston Villa in the Premier League, and Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Championship.

Beye was part of the Senegal squads at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2002 (runners-up), 2004, 2006 (semifinalists) and 2008, as well as a quarterfinalist at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.