Former Bayern defender – today the most powerful executive at a French top club. Medhi Benatia has developed into an absolute leadership figure at Olympique Marseille.
At FC Bayern, he was mostly part of the second squad – Medhi Benatia never really managed to establish himself as a regular starter during his time with the German record champions. This makes the development of the Moroccan after his active playing career all the more surprising.
Benatia has risen to become the most influential person at the club in less than two years as an executive at Olympique Marseille. At the French top club, the 38-year-old has revolutionized the club’s internal structures and built his own network in a very short time.
Mehdi Benatia has become the most powerful man at Olympique Marseille in less than two years
Benatia initially a “leadership figure” in the shadows
The former central defender’s time began on a small scale, as highlighted by French publication L’Équipe. At the request of president Pablo Longoria, Benatia was hired as a sports advisor in November 2023. The former captain of the Moroccan national team couldn’t take on a larger leadership role at that time for at least one year because he had previously worked as a player agent.
His start in Marseille was quite complicated: During the 2023/24 season, when the ambitious club spent most of the time in the middle of the Ligue 1 table and ultimately finished eighth, an internal conflict erupted between president Longoria and general director Stéphane Tessier. The latter was apparently clearly against Benatia’s appointment.
Although he was only working as a management advisor, the Moroccan immediately became a “key figure” alongside president Longoria, as Goal reported. According to L’Équipe, the former Bayern star almost single-handedly managed the 2024 winter transfer window – and convinced everyone.
Marseille looks back on successful transfer summer
Almost two years later, the 38-year-old, who rose to sports director through hard work and his powers of persuasion, has built an entire network of supporters around himself. While critic Tessier had to leave his position in 2024, the shadow director received his official promotion in January 2025.
Marseille sits in third place in Ligue 1 with 19 points at the start of this season – a promising start, despite recently suffering two consecutive defeats across competitions and only managing a draw against Angers SCO on Wednesday (2:2). The summer signings orchestrated by Benatia, who made an immediate impact, bear significant responsibility for the French side’s otherwise good form.
Together with his confidant Christian Ercolani, the sports director secured notable signings. Among others, Marseille acquired the services of former Bayern players Benjamin Pavard and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer, as well as Igor Paixao and Timothy Weah.
Benatia places confidants in various departments
Beyond supporting squad planning, Benatia’s network of trusted individuals extends across multiple club departments. For example, Bob Tahri, former champion in the 3000-meter steeplechase, is responsible for internal communication with players, training planning, and nutrition monitoring.
Former teammate and close confidant Thomas Heurtaux, from their shared time at Udinese from 2012 to 2013, has joined the coaching staff of Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi. Heurtaux serves as a “sports interpreter” at the French top club.
Within the club, people rave about the 38-year-old’s work. Marseille’s director of sports communication and former editor-in-chief of beIN Sports, Bel-Abbès Bouaissi, emphasized in an interview with Africa Foot United earlier this year: “Benatia’s work at this point, viewed completely objectively, is incredible.”
Benatia has seen red twice as sports director
The sports director also shows presence on the sidelines – but sometimes goes too far. In September 2024, Benatia caused a scandal during a heated duel with Lyon (3:2) when he became so enraged about an early red card against Marseille that he stormed the referees’ room at halftime. Following this action, he was suspended for three matches.
The next red card for the executive came in January 2025 – Benatia raged after a penalty wasn’t awarded during the cup elimination against OSC Lille (3:4). This time, the disciplinary committee of the French football federation imposed a three-month ban plus three additional months probation on Benatia as a repeat offender.
Despite his occasional outbursts: Benatia has achieved a steep rise in Marseille – and simultaneously proves to be an asset for Olympique.