Milan consider former Morocco defender Mehdi Benatia for sporting director role

AC Milan are considering Mehdi Benatia as a potential candidate for their sporting director position, just months after the former Morocco international left Olympique de Marseille.

Benatia stepped down from his role at Olympique de Marseille in May, at the end of a highly unsettled season for the club. He had initially announced his departure in February, but later reversed that decision and remained in post until the campaign concluded.

The former centre-back had first worked as a sporting adviser at the French club before taking over as sporting director. Since leaving Marseille, Benatia has worked as a football analyst for Canal+, although he has not ruled out taking on a new role in the game.

A return to club football in Italy could appeal to Benatia, who is familiar with the country after playing for Udinese, Roma and Juventus.

Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto, quoted by Foot Mercato, said Milan were assessing several candidates as part of changes to their sporting management structure.

“At the moment, no name has emerged as the leading candidate, but more interviews and contacts are planned in the coming weeks,” Moretto said on YouTube.

He added: “I would briefly like to highlight the profile of Mehdi Benatia, the former defender and former sporting director of Marseille, who would be happy to return to work in Italy, a country he knows very well.”

Moretto also said Benatia would be open to joining Milan if the club approached him.

Milan have been seeking to reorganise their sporting department since the departure of Igli Tare. The club’s owner, Gerry Cardinale, dismissed Tare at the end of May after Milan failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.