Same old problems for Marseille despite a new coach as another trophyless season looms

By Canadian Press on March 5, 2026.

PARIS (AP) — New coach. Same old story for Marseille.

Wednesday night’s French Cup defeat realistically means another trophyless season for the southern club, which has not won anything for 14 years and has slid from Ligue 1 title contender to fourth place.

Marseille’s habit of hiring and firing coaches has introduced Habib Beye to replace Roberto De Zerbi, the latest sacking.

De Zerbi was highly regarded until the team failed to even qualify for the Champions League playoffs by finishing a dismal 25th in the group phase, then lost 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.

Beye has lost two of three matches so far, and the players were booed off the field at Stade Velodrome on Wednesday after being knocked out of the cup quarterfinals by Toulouse, despite twice taking the lead.

Marseille’s weak defending has been a flaw for several seasons yet no real changes have been implemented.

Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli remains a liability on crosses and central defender Leonardo Balerdi somehow remains in the side — and as captain — despite a litany of high-profile mistakes for three seasons running.

“We can’t accept this, we don’t come here to play like this,” Balerdi said after Wednesday’s defeat. But he was at fault on Toulouse’s second equalizer, missed his effort in the penalty shootout, and almost got into a fight after the defeat.

Fans have had enough, with some throwing flares onto the field as the players walked off, and so have former players.

“When you analyze the matches you see that with this team even if they’re leading and have a comfortable advantage, the house of cards collapses as soon as they concede a goal,” former standout midfielder Samir Nasri told Canal Plus television. “Mentally, there’s a problem in this team. I’m afraid of any team (we’re going to play).”

Key matchups

Next up for Marseille is Toulouse away on Saturday. However, Toulouse is out of form in the league, having lost three and drawn two of the past five games.

Ligue 1 leader PSG welcomes back Ousmane Dembélé from a calf injury for Friday’s home game against Monaco, which beat PSG 1-0 at home in November.

Lens is four points behind PSG in second place and should be able to benefit if PSG slips up because it hosts rock-bottom Metz on Sunday.

Third-placed Lyon looks to snap a two-game losing streak when it hosts Paris FC in Sunday’s late game.

Players to watch

Balerdi, if he plays. Most Marseille fans want him out of the club.

Monaco winger Simon Adingra has three goals in four games since joining on loan from Premier League Sunderland.

In-form striker Joaquín Panichelli aims to add to his 14 league goals when Strasbourg travels to Auxerre on Saturday. He is the co-leader in the scoring charts with Marseille’s Mason Greenwood.

Out of action

Rennes defender Jérémy Jacquet needs a shoulder operation and could miss the rest of the season. The 20-year-old Jacquet is joining Premier League champion Liverpool next season.

PSG midfielders Fabián Ruiz (knee) and João Neves (ankle) remain sidelined. PSG coach Luis Enrique hopes to have Neves back for the Champions League last 16 game against Chelsea next Wednesday.

Off the field

Long-suffering Sochaux fans got a boost with the news that the Peugeot logo is expected to feature on the club’s jerseys again.

The French car manufacturer ended its long-standing ownership when it sold the club 11 years ago following relegation to the second tier.

Sochaux is now in the third tier but challenging for promotion and Peugeot — whose logo features a lion proudly standing tall — has reportedly signed a five-year sponsorship deal.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Jerome Pugmire, The Associated Press