Former Bayern Munich and Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia is set to be named sporting director at Olympique de Marseille, according to reports from L’Équipe and Foot Mercato.
Negotiations between Benatia and Marseille, the club where the former Moroccan international came through the ranks, are advancing well and an agreement is nearing. The two parties have in fact already reached an agreement on multiple aspects. There has been a need to work on the legal aspects, given Benatia’s position as a player agent, notably for OM’s Azzedine Ounahi. This pre-existing professional relationship between the pair is a potential conflict of interest that must be resolved before Benatia’s nomination. Of course, should Bentaia become the new sporting director at Marseille, he would cease his position as a player agent.
His arrival could be confirmed in the coming days. His arrival comes amidst departures and a reshuffle at OM. Javier Ribalta, the former director of football, left earlier this month, whilst L’Équipe have also reported that David Friio’s departure is also set to be confirmed. Friio has been Les Phocéens’ sporting director since June 2022.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
