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'It is a decision I do not agree with' - Marseille boss Bruno Genesio speaks on Hojbjerg losing the captaincy

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been hit with immediate disciplinary action at Marseille after preventing a lucrative return to the Premier League. The Denmark midfielder has been removed as club captain after refusing to join Newcastle United, even though a formal transfer agreement had been reached between the two clubs.

Armband removed from Hojbjerg

The consequences of Hojbjerg's decision to reject a switch to Newcastle United have been rapid and serious at the Orange Velodrome. Although Marseille and Newcastle had reached a full agreement over a £15 million transfer, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder made a sudden U-turn that has left the French club's leadership deeply angered.

The 31-year-old had made it clear he wanted to stay in the south of France, but his refusal to complete a move that would have greatly helped Marseille's financial position has now cost him his leadership status within the squad.

Proof of his demotion was visible during Friday's friendly against Atletico Madrid, when the team sheet confirmed the leadership change. Hojbjerg was named in the starting XI by manager Bruno Genesio, but the captain's armband was instead given to United States international Timothy Weah.

Genesio also said the call had been taken by the club's management and admitted he was not in agreement with it, stating: "I'll be completely frank, it's a decision by the management that I do not share."

Financial strain at OM

Marseille owner Frank McCourt is reportedly furious with the player's behaviour, with reports in France saying the American businessman remains "irritated" by the episode. The club have been under major pressure to cut their heavy wage bill this summer because of continuing financial problems, and the guaranteed money from the Magpies would have offered badly needed relief.

By stopping the transfer, Hojbjerg has put himself in a difficult position, where his commitment to the team is now being seen as an obstacle to the club's long-term stability and recruitment strategy.

The experienced midfielder had initially joined Marseille on loan from Spurs during the 2024-25 season, in a deal that included a compulsory purchase clause worth £17m, which was officially activated earlier this year. However, the club's wish to sell him only months later underlines the unstable nature of their present financial condition.

Newcastle's frustrating summer goes on

For Newcastle United, the rejection is another setback in what has become a summer of major disruption at St. James' Park. The Magpies had viewed Hojbjerg as the perfect experienced organiser to hold the midfield together for new head coach Matthias Jaissle, but they must now search elsewhere for additions.

The club have already seen a huge loss of talent in this transfer window, having approved the high-profile departures of former captain Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal, star winger Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham.

The recruitment difficulties come after the surprise exit of Eddie Howe, the manager who ended the club's trophy drought and led them back into the Champions League, with Howe stepping down on July 31.

What next for Hojbjerg?

In spite of the internal disciplinary action, Hojbjerg remains a player in strong demand in the closing weeks of the European transfer window. Although he has said he would prefer to stay at Marseille, the damage to his relationship with the club's hierarchy could still lead to a late move elsewhere.

AC Milan are believed to be monitoring the situation closely and could offer the Dane another route out of France if his standing at Marseille becomes impossible to maintain after being stripped of the captaincy.