Mehdi Benatia Linked to AC Milan Sporting Director Role, Reports Foot Mercato

Mehdi Benatia has emerged as a candidate for the sporting director position at AC Milan following his departure from Olympique de Marseille. The former Morocco international is weighing up a return to Italian football as the club restructure their management team.

Former Defender Could Restructure Squad

• A potential appointment would place the former defender in charge of restructuring a squad that missed out on Champions League qualification.

The Search for New Management at Milan

AC Milan have been looking to restructure their sporting management since the departure of Igli Tare. Club owner Gerry Cardinale dismissed him at the end of May after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League. Foot Mercato reported, citing Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto, that Milan are weighing up several candidates for their sporting management team.

Moretto explained on YouTube: So far, no name has emerged as a leading candidate, but further interviews and contact are scheduled in the coming weeks. He added: I would like to briefly highlight the career 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 well. The Moroccan is open to joining Milan should the club make contact, according to the same reporting.

Benatia Seeks Return to Club Football

Benatia left his post as sporting director at Olympique de Marseille last May at the end of a turbulent season. He initially served as a sporting adviser before stepping up to the sporting director role. The former centre-back had announced his departure in February, only to reverse his decision and see out the campaign before walking away. He has worked as a football analyst on Canal+ ever since, though he has not ruled out a new project in the game.

Italy could offer Benatia his route back into club football, a country he knows well after playing there with Udinese, Roma and Juventus during his playing career.

Candidate Status	Target Club	Previous Role
Under Consideration	AC Milan	Sporting Director, Olympique de Marseille

Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.