Medhi Benatia resigns as Marseille director of football as crisis deepens | OneFootball

Medhi Benatia has resigned as Olympique de Marseille’s director of football, four days after head coach Roberto De Zerbi departed. The announcement came on Sunday amid ongoing turmoil at the club.

Benatia said in a post that he had done his utmost professionally but regretted failing to calm the environment around a squad he believes can meet the targets set. He added that the project is progressing despite recent setbacks, yet he cannot ignore the current climate, sensing growing dissatisfaction and a rupture he deeply regrets, and that in Marseille results are the only judge.

The Franco-Moroccan arrived in November 2023 as sporting adviser to president Pablo Longoria. He became director of football in January 2025 with responsibility for the club’s sporting operations.

His exit comes less than a week after De Zerbi left by mutual consent following a poor run, including a 5-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes against Paris SG last Sunday.

On Saturday Jacques "Pancho" Abardonado took interim charge for the 2-2 draw with Strasbourg. Marseille are fourth in the league.

Source: Le Progres