Morocco’s Mehdi Benatia emerges as candidate for AC Milan sporting director role

Former Morocco captain Mehdi Benatia is reportedly among the candidates being considered by Italian giants AC Milan for their sporting director position.

Benatia, who ended his spell as sporting director at French club Marseille in May, could make a return to Italy, where he spent several years of his playing career.

The former centre-back played for Udinese, Roma and Juventus during his time in Serie A and is now being linked with a possible move into Milan’s sporting management structure.

Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto, quoted by Foot Mercato, said Milan are assessing several candidates as the club considers changes to its sporting department.

“So far, no name has emerged as a leading candidate, but more interviews and outreach are planned for the coming weeks,” Moretto explained on YouTube.

Benatia open to Italy return

Moretto specifically highlighted Benatia’s experience as both a former player and football executive.

“I would like to briefly highlight the career of Mehdi Benatia, the former defender and former sporting director of Marseille, who will be happy to return to work in Italy, the country he knows well”.

Benatia is reportedly open to the possibility of joining Milan should the club approach him.

The potential move would represent another step in the Moroccan’s transition from the pitch into football management and could make him one of the prominent African figures operating in the sporting structure of a major European club.

From Morocco captain to football executive

Benatia built a distinguished playing career in Europe before moving into football administration.

After representing Udinese and Roma, he joined Juventus and established himself as one of the leading Moroccan defenders of his generation.

He later moved into management at Marseille, initially working as a sporting adviser before becoming the club’s sporting director.

Benatia announced his departure from Marseille in February but subsequently reversed that decision and remained in the role until the end of the season.

He left the French club in May and has since worked as a football analyst for Canal+, although his links with the game have kept open the possibility of a return to club management.

Milan restructure sporting department

Milan are looking to reshape their sporting management following the departure of Igli Tare.

Tare was dismissed by owner Gerry Cardinale at the end of May after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The Italian club have yet to settle on a leading candidate for the sporting director position, with further interviews and discussions expected in the coming weeks.