Marseille Coach Habib Beye Victim of Burglary at His Home
Olympique de Marseille coach Habib Beye has been the victim of a burglary at his home, according to reports from French newspaper La Dépêche. The incident occurred during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, with the former Marseille defender absent at the time. Thieves are reported to have stolen clothing and items from the luxury brand Louis Vuitton.
The break-in is the latest in a series of similar incidents targeting high-profile football figures in France since the start of the year. Players including Neil El Aynaoui and Breel Embolo have also experienced comparable burglaries, highlighting a concerning trend for athletes and coaches in the country.
For Beye, this is not the first time he has been targeted by criminals. In March 2005, while still a player for Marseille, he was a victim of a carjacking. Following a league match against Saint-Étienne, three masked men forced him to stop near his home and hand over the keys to his car. In a bizarre twist to that event, the assailants reportedly congratulated him on his performance in that evening's game before driving away.
The 46-year-old is currently in his first senior managerial role, having been appointed head coach of Marseille in September 2023 after a successful spell in charge of the club's reserve team. His tenure has been challenging, with the team struggling for consistency in Ligue 1. The burglary adds an unwelcome off-field distraction for Beye as he attempts to steer the historic club back towards European qualification.
The club has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. Local authorities are believed to be investigating the break-in. Security for high-profile individuals in French football has become an increasing concern, with several clubs investing in enhanced protection for their players and staff following similar events.
Beye is a revered figure at the Stade Vélodrome, having made over 200 appearances for Marseille as a right-back between 2003 and 2007, captaining the side and winning the Intertoto Cup. His return as coach was initially met with optimism from supporters eager to see a club legend restore stability. The invasion of his personal space marks a distressing episode for the coach and his family during an already demanding season.
