Marseille Owner on Benatia: "He was ready to leave earlier, so I asked him to stay until the end of the season"
T.E (Elbotola)
10 April 2026at10:58
Frank McCourt, owner of Olympique Marseille, discussed the future of the club's Moroccan sporting director, Medhi Benatia.
When asked about Benatia's continued tenure, McCourt's response was very clear: "I will repeat what I said before, Medhi was ready to leave earlier, so I called him and asked him to come and talk, to reconsider his decision and stay until the end of the season."
"But he said, 'Sir, I will finish my work at the end of the season.' So I told him: 'Okay, it's agreed.' This is the agreement between Medhi and me. This is what he told me, and I accepted it, and I can only confirm what he has also publicly shared," McCourt added.
Q&A
What is the latest on Medhi Benatia's future at Marseille?
Medhi Benatia will leave his role as sporting director at Olympique Marseille at the end of the current season. Owner Frank McCourt confirmed that Benatia had expressed a desire to depart earlier but agreed to stay until the season concludes.
How did Marseille owner Frank McCourt react to Medhi Benatia's decision?
Marseille owner Frank McCourt personally asked Medhi Benatia to reconsider his decision to leave and stay until the season's end. McCourt respected Benatia's commitment to finish his work, accepting the sporting director's choice to depart as planned.
What are the implications of Medhi Benatia's departure for Olympique Marseille?
Medhi Benatia's departure means Olympique Marseille will need to find a new sporting director to oversee future club operations and transfers. The club owner has publicly confirmed the agreement, signaling a transition period for the leadership structure.