Medhi Benatia’s fiercest tirades, from Clauss to Rabiot-Rowe, Bruges and Lorient | OneFootball

Since arriving in 2023, Medhi Benatia, 38, has made public rebukes a hallmark at Marseille. According to L'Équipe, his tenure has been marked by repeated flashpoints.

February 2024: as an external adviser, he criticised Jonathan Clauss’s attitude, saying earlier warnings had not stuck. The previous month, a premature exit at Monaco angered staff, and he pushed for a sale and said Clauss would not play again. Clauss returned, then left the next summer for Nice.

December 2024: on taking over as director of football, he said progress often felt like one step forward, two back.

April 2025: after defeats to Monaco 3-0 and Reims 3-1, he condemned mental frailties and said he was at OM for Pablo Longoria, and would leave if Longoria did.

August 2025: after a dressing-room fight between Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot at Roazhon Park, the club chose to part with both. Benatia said heated words happen, but a punch and security intervening crossed the line.

January 2026: before PSG in the Trophée des champions, he and Pablo Longoria spoke to the squad after a 2-0 loss to Nantes, and he asked a player, Léo, if he paid the dressing-room rent.

Later that month, a 3-0 Champions League defeat at Bruges left him calling it a dreadful night and admitting rare shame, while criticising players’ attitude.

April 2026: after a 2-0 loss at Lorient, he said he had planned to stay silent until year’s end but felt obliged to speak, calling the display a scandal.

Source: L'Équipe