The prospects of Mehdi Benatia joining the Moroccan national team’s technical staff have faded after a fresh twist in his professional future, effectively keeping him at Olympique Marseille for the foreseeable future.
Reports earlier on Monday had suggested that Benatia was among the candidates being considered to join the Atlas Lions’ coaching setup as part of a new technical team expected to be led by Tariq Sektioui.
Those claims gained traction following Benatia’s announcement on 9 February that he had stepped down from his role, a decision that came just hours before head coach Roberto De Zerbi departed the club. Benatia later publicly confirmed his resignation on Sunday through a statement shared on his personal Instagram account after Marseille’s 2-2 draw with Strasbourg.
However, the situation took a decisive turn after club owner Frank McCourt intervened. In an official statement, McCourt confirmed that Benatia will remain in his position as sporting director until at least the end of the current season, while also revealing that his responsibilities will be significantly expanded.
The new mandate grants Benatia full authority over the club’s sporting operations, a move that inevitably reduces the influence of club president Pablo Longoria.
McCourt explained that the decision was taken to safeguard both institutional and sporting stability at a crucial stage of the campaign, with the primary objective being qualification for the next edition of the UEFA Champions League.
The owner also moved to ease tensions within the club, personally addressing the situation in a bid to restore calm and unity.
“My ambition for the team remains the same,” McCourt stated, urging all stakeholders to come together and support Olympique Marseille as they push for a strong and successful conclusion to the season.
