With Habib Beye, there's only one way - downhill

He is, indeed, the only African head coach in the top 5 European leagues, and that's a great honour. However, given Habib Beye's results this season and his impact on his former and current teams, he's on course to lose his place among the coaching elite on the old continent.

The Senegalese started the season with Rennes but was sacked on February 9 after a series of poor results, leaving the club in sixth place, eight points behind the Champions League zone and out of the French Cup (Coupe de France).

From awful to disastrous: Nantes stomp self-destructive OM in eight minutes

However, just nine days later, he was appointed as the new Olympique Marseille boss, replacing the sacked Roberto De Zerbi. At that point, L'OM were fourth - in the last spot that guarantees UCL - three points behind the third-placed Lyon, and six points ahead of their first followers, Lille.

Two and a half months later, the tables have completely turned, as Rennes managed to overcome the troubles Beye left them in, while Marseille are being dragged down by the 48-year-old tactician!

Franck Haise succeeded the Senegalese at Roazhon Park and revitalized the team. Since his arrival, the Rouges et Noirs have won 7 of 10 Ligue 1 games, and currently sit in 5th place, just 4 points behind 3rd position.

On the other hand, Beye's spell at Stade Velodrome in the ongoing campaign is even worse than De Zerbi's, as the African strategist lost half of the games he led his crew in (5/10), dropping out of the European zone altogether, let alone the places that guarantee the Champions League!

While Rennes under Haise won four of their last six league matches, L'OM have triumphed only once in the same period. Hence, it's no wonder Beye's current club trails three points behind his former side, with much lower odds of taking part in the next edition of the UCL.

A three-point gap is within reach in the remaining two clashes, that's for sure, but given how Marseille look and play at the moment, the elite European competition is a far-fetched dream for them.

In the final Ligue 1 round (May 17), L'OM and Rennes will lock horns at Stade Velodrome in what could possibly be a direct clash for a Champions League ticket.

At the same time, it will be Beye's last chance to prove he can improve a team and its results.

So far, his sides have been heading in only one direction - downwards.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 32

Saturday

Nantes - Olympique Marseille 3-0 (0-0)

/Ganago 50, Cabella 54, Abline 58/

PSG - Lorient 2-2 (1-1)

/Mbaye 6, Zaire-Emery 62 - Pagin 12, Tosin 78/

Metz - Monaco 1-2 (0-0)

/Deminguet 49 - Balogun 61, Fati 90+1/

Nice - Lens 1-1 (0-1)

/Abdi 84 - Saint-Maximin 60/

Sunday

Lille - Le Havre 1-1 (1-1)

/Haraldsson 29 - Soumare 33/

Auxerre - Angers 3-1 (1-0)

/Mara 12, 61, Sinayoko 67 - Koyalipou 77 pen/

Paris - Brest 4-0 (2-0)

/Matondo 13, 67, Geubbels 20, Koleosho 89/

Strasbourg - Toulouse 1-2 (1-1)

/Amo-Ameyaw 27 - Methalie 43, Emersonn 84/

Olympique Lyon - Rennes 4-2 (2-1)

/Yaremchuk 37, Tolisso 42 pen, Moreira 52, Endrick 75 - Tamari 6, Lepaul 48