Can Marseille Win Ligue 1?
After a turbulent 2025-26 season ended with Europa League qualification, Marseille begin a new campaign under Habib Beye with renewed ambitions and the difficult task of closing the gap on Paris Saint-Germain.
Marseille enter the 2026-27 Ligue 1 season looking to re-establish themselves as genuine title contenders after a campaign that did not develop as expected.
OM had spent part of last season fighting for Champions League qualification, but their form collapsed during the final months. Roberto De Zerbi left during the campaign and was eventually replaced by former Marseille captain Habib Beye, who had started the season in charge of Rennes.
The season eventually ended on a positive note. Marseille defeated Rennes 3-1 at the Vélodrome on the final matchday to secure fifth place and qualification for the 2026-27 Europa League. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Amine Gouiri and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the goals in a victory that provided some relief after a difficult run-in.
A New Project Under Habib Beye
The 2026-27 season will now provide Beye with the opportunity to build his own version of Marseille from the beginning.
One of the most interesting additions is Ethan Nwaneri, who has joined OM from Arsenal. The young English attacking midfielder had already spent part of the previous campaign in Marseille and now represents an important piece of the club's plans going forward.
There is still considerable attacking quality in the squad. Mason Greenwood, Igor Paixão, Amine Gouiri and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all featured during last season's campaign, giving Beye several different options in the final third.
Unlike some of their direct rivals, Marseille will also compete in the Europa League rather than the Champions League this season. That still creates a demanding schedule, but their European objective will be different from clubs involved in UEFA's top competition.
Can Marseille Challenge PSG?
The biggest question is consistency.
Last season showed both sides of Marseille. They were competing for Champions League places during the campaign, but entered the penultimate matchday in seventh after winning only once in six league games.
That level of inconsistency cannot happen in a title race.
Paris Saint-Germain remain the standard in France, while Lens demonstrated last season that another club can at least push them deep into the campaign. For Marseille, the talent and ambition are there, but Beye must transform them into consistent results.
A first Ligue 1 title since 2010 would still be a major achievement. Marseille have enough quality to enter the conversation, but becoming genuine contenders will depend on whether they can avoid the dramatic swings in form that defined last season.
