Habib Beye’s Marseille hopes fade after Benatia’s resignation

Habib Beye’s chances of becoming the next head coach of French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille are slim following the resignation of sporting director Medhi Benatia, reports Libération. The former Senegal international was one of the favorites for the job at Marseille.

Get French Football cited Libération as reporting that Marseille have ended their pursuit of Beye as their next coach. Marseille parted ways with head coach Roberto De Zerbi after the club fell 5–0 to their arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain. Beye was recently sacked by Stade Rennais after entering into a feud with his players.

Benatia confirmed his resignation on Sunday, February 16, as Beye’s chances of becoming Marseille coach ended prematurely. OM president Pablo Longoria is said to be an acquaintance of Beye’s representative, and an initial meeting between the two parties was reportedly scheduled for Saturday, February 14. It is not known where the meeting was to take place, but Benatia had been working behind the scenes to secure a deal with Beye until the end of the current season.

Marseille are 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.