Nnadi: Marseille’s next manager could shape the future of the Super Eagles star

Super Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi faces an uncertain future at Olympique Marseille ahead of the summer transfer window, Afrik‑Foot reports.

The 22‑year‑old joined the French giants in a €6 million deal during the winter transfer window under Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi, after enjoying an impressive spell at Belgian side Zulte Waregem.

However, De Zerbi’s departure and the subsequent arrival of Senegalese coach Habib Beye made Nnadi’s transition into French football difficult. The Nigerian midfielder struggled for playing time and spent much of the second half of the season as an unused substitute on the bench.

Nigeria Super Eagles and Marseille midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi. Copyright: xMARTINxALEXx IMAGO

Fortunes eventually changed for Nnadi towards the end of the campaign. Injuries to several players opened the door for him to come into the team and he seized the opportunity, starting Marseille’s final four league matches, while he also completed the full 90 minutes in two of those games.

Marseille eventually finished fifth in Ligue 1, narrowly missing out on qualification for the UEFA Champions League. While they secured a place in the UEFA Europa League, the disappointing end to the season has cast doubt over Beye’s future at the club.

Tochukwu Nnadi could benefit from another Marseille managerial change

According to reports from France, Marseille are preparing to appoint their third manager in a matter of months, with Beye expected to be dismissed and Bruno Genesio has emerged as the leading candidate to replace him.

Coach Habib Beye. Photo by IMAGO

The club’s hierarchy are disappointed with how the season ended, particularly the run of poor results that saw Marseille miss out on Champions League football.

Genesio has been identified as the preferred candidate after leaving Lille at the end of the season. The experienced French coach guided the former Ligue 1 champions back into the Champions League before leaving in search of a new challenge after his contract expired.

While the previous managerial change did little to help Nnadi’s development as he struggled to establish himself under Beye, a move for Genesio could prove beneficial for the Nigerian midfielder.

The former Lille boss often prefers a 4‑2‑3‑1 system, which typically features two midfielders operating in front of the defence and this role perfectly suits Nnadi’s strengths, which he showed during the closing weeks of the season.

Nigeria midfielder Tochukwu. Copyright: xManjitxNarotraxImago

Nnadi has already been linked with a move away from Marseille this summer, but the demands of competing both domestically and in Europe next season may force a change.

The 22‑year‑old is expected to feature in Nigeria’s friendly match against Portugal on Wednesday, before returning to Marseille for pre‑season, which could prove very decisive for his future.

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Ayomide Oguntimehin

Editor Site Coordinator

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF‑accredited sports journalist and Editor at Soccernet.ng & Afrik Foot. Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, Topmercato, and Milan News24, among others. He holds a master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X: @ayo_oguntimehin.