Football/OM: Medhi Benatia takes over as sporting director
Following Marcelino’s departure, who resigned from his position as coach, Gennaro Gattuso has taken charge of the team, and Pablo Longoria, the sporting director of Olympique de Marseille, is now considering appointing a new sporting director. It appears increasingly likely that this choice will fall on Medhi Benatia, aged 36. After several turbulent weeks for the Marseille club, a thorough overhaul is necessary, and Pablo Longoria understands the importance of this restructuring to ease tensions among the supporters.
After accepting Marcelino’s resignation, whom he had hired earlier in the summer, the Italian leader now wishes to part ways with his football director, Javier Ribalta.
According to RMC Sport, Longoria has already identified his successor in Mehdi Benatia, a former Moroccan defender who was trained at OM. Discussions between the two parties have already begun and seem promising.
Medhi Benatia, known for his natural leadership and exemplary behavior, is favored by many fans, even though he never had the opportunity to play in Marseille’s first team.
Mehdi Benatia has always been appreciated for his qualities, whether at Udinese, Clermont, Juventus, Bayern Munich, or AS Roma.
By making this choice, Pablo Longoria aims to improve his image among supporters who have expressed criticism regarding his Spanish network.
He hopes to regain their trust. Currently working as, a consultant for beIN Sports during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Benatia also serves as a sports advisor. He is said to have played a role in Azzedine Ounahi’s transfer to OM.
Aware of the challenges and the unique atmosphere in Marseille, Benatia is seen as the right person for the job, capable of uniting a club where leaders and supporters seem to have diverged for some time.
