Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri joined French club Marseille on loan in January, but there has been a lot of upheaval at the club
Ethan Nwaneri playing for Marseille
Ethan Nwaneri has entered a chaotic environment in Marseille(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Things have gone from bad to worse for Olympique de Marseille in the last few days. Arsenal sent youngster Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Stade Velodrome for the second half of the season, but the teenager has entered an environment of chaos.
It had all started so well, too, with Nwaneri scoring on his debut for L'OM. Since then, though, the French club has dropped out of the Champions League while shedding not just a manager but also a sporting director.
Roberto De Zerbi was the manager who brought Nwaneri to the south of France, but the Italian's future was brought into question after a last-minute Benfica goal against Real Madrid saw Marseille lose out on a play-off spot in Europe. He didn't last much longer, quitting after a heavy defeat to Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insisted he didn't regret the transfer, even after De Zerbi's exit. “For sure one of the reasons [Nwaneri was sent to Marseille] was Roberto, but as well it was Marseille, and what Marseille as a club and as an environment brings to Ethan, and I think that’s going to be still very positive,” the Spaniard said.
Jacques Abardonado took interim charge on Saturday as Marseille hosted Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Goals from Mason Greenwood and Amine Gouiri left them 2-0 up with 20 minutes to go, only for the visitors to battle back and steal a point when Sebastian Nanasi halved the deficit and Joaquin Panichelli equalised from the penalty spot in the final minute.
Nwaneri spent the full 90 minutes on the bench, with Abardonado handing Bilal Nadir a rare start in the No.10 role. When the interim boss turned to his substitutes it was another winter signing, Himad Abdelli, who got the nod, prompting questions over what lies ahead for Nwaneri between now and May.
Mehdi Benatia at Bayeux vs Marseille in January 2026
Mehdi Benatia has followed Roberto De Zerbi in leaving Marseille(Image: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
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The chaos at Stade Velodrome has not gone unnoticed by Marseille's supporters. According to La Provence, some fans attempted to enter the presidential suites at the stadium before security stepped in.
Fans also made clear their frustration with the club's higher-ups, with the same publication noting there were both banners and chants calling for resignations. It didn't take long for them to get their wish, either, with Benatia stepping down before the end of the weekend.
"I am leaving with the feeling that I have done my utmost on a professional level, but with regret that I have not been able to calm the environment around the team," Benatia wrote on social media, as translated by BBC Sport. Earlier reports had indicated he attempted to tender his resignation earlier in the week, with club executives rejecting that request, but the former Morocco defender has now walked away.
He added: "Despite recent setbacks and some cruel sporting scenarios, the project is moving forward. But I cannot ignore the current climate. I feel a growing dissatisfaction, a rift that I deeply regret. In Marseille, results are the only judge."
Marseille, who briefly topped Ligue 1 in the autumn, are now 12 points off the lead in fourth spot after a third straight game without a win. Nwaneri will hope the chaos on and off the pitch on Sunday isn't a sign of things to come as the club begins searching for a new sporting director as well as a new manager.
Former Marseille and Newcastle defender Habib Beye had been mentioned as a potential successor to De Zerbi in the dugout. However, according to reports in France, Benatia's exit means the club will now move on to other targets.
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