Ex-Newcastle defender Beye appointed Marseille coach

French club Marseille have appointed former Newcastle and Aston Villa defender Habib Beye as their new head coach, a week after his sacking from fellow Ligue 1 club Rennes.

Marseille parted ways with Roberto De Zerbi last week, following a a 5-0 defeat by Paris St-Germain and a group stage exit in the Champions League.

Beye, who spent four years at Marseille during his playing career, was sacked by Rennes last week following a four-match winless run which left them in sixth place.

"His deep attachment to Olympique de Marseille and his intimate knowledge of the environment in Marseille can be major assets in taking the club to the next step," the club said.

Marseille are fourth in Ligue 1, 12 points behind leaders Lens.

The 48-year-old's first match in charge will come against Brest on Friday.

He left Marseille for Newcastle in 2007 and went on to make 54 appearances for the Magpies across two seasons.

The defender moved to Aston Villa in 2009 and made 18 appearances for the club before finishing his playing career with Doncaster Rovers.