Al-Ittihad Places Benatia on Shortlist for Sporting Director Role

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Moroccan Mehdi Benatia is close to taking over as the sporting director for Saudi club Al-Ittihad Jeddah in the upcoming period.

According to the same source, Al-Ittihad's management has placed Benatia among the top candidates to succeed Spaniard Ramon Planes, who is preparing to leave the club for a new experience within a European project.

This development comes as Mehdi Benatia prepares to depart from his current position as sporting director for French club Olympique Marseille at the end of the current season, despite having previously submitted his resignation.

Benatia is regarded as one of the rapidly rising names in sports management, particularly after his experience at Olympique Marseille, in addition to his extensive background as a former player for prominent European clubs and the Moroccan national team.