Omna Taddele
April 10, 2026Benatia to step down as Marseille sporting director
Benatia to step down as Marseille sporting director
Medhi Benatia will leave his role as Sporting Director of French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille at the end of the current season. The Moroccan had a turbulent time with OM after he briefly resigned from his post in February.
The resignation of Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi tempted Benatia to follow suit before he changed his mind. The 38-year-old former center-back rescinded his decision to resign after a discussion with Marseille owner Frank McCourt. The American businessman gave control of all sporting activities to Benatia by diminishing the power of former president Pablo Longoria.
Now Benatia’s departure from Marseille is now confirmed. According to Get French Football, during the unveiling of Marseille’s new president Stéphane Richard, McCourt said the former Morocco international will leave his role at the club after the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
“Medhi was ready to leave earlier. I asked him to come for a talk so that he could reconsider his choice. He accepted (to come back), but he told me that he would finish at the end of the season. That is the agreement that we have, and I accepted it. I can, therefore, confirm that he will leave at the end of the season,” said McCourt.
The former Morocco national team defender hung up his boots in 2021 after a stint in Türkiye with Fatih Karagümrük before venturing into management. The former Roma, Bayern Munich, and Juventus defender took up his sporting director role at Marseille in 2023.
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The southern France club failed to win any silverware during Benatia’s tenure. Benatia’s short-term plan now will be to help Marseille secure a UEFA Champions League spot next season, as they currently sit fourth with 49 points.
