Mehdi Benatia has emerged as a candidate for a senior sporting role at AC Milan, just months after leaving Olympique de Marseille.
The former Morocco international ended his time at the French club in May, following a highly unsettled season. Benatia had initially worked as Olympique de Marseille’s sporting adviser before becoming the club’s sporting director.
He announced his departure in February but later reversed that decision and remained in the role until the end of the campaign.
Since leaving Olympique de Marseille, the former defender has worked as a football analyst for Canal+. However, he has not ruled out taking on a new project within the game, and could now be considered for a return to club football in Italy.
Italy is a country Benatia knows well from his playing career. He represented Udinese, Roma and Juventus during his time in Serie A.
AC Milan are reviewing a number of candidates as they look to reshape their sporting department, according to Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto, whose report was carried by Foot Mercato.
“Up to now, no name has emerged as the leading candidate, but more interviews and contacts are scheduled in the coming weeks,” Moretto said on YouTube.
He then highlighted Benatia’s background, saying: “I would like to briefly focus on the career of Mehdi Benatia, the former defender and former sporting director of Olympique de Marseille, who would be happy to return to work in Italy, a country he knows well.”
Moretto added that Benatia would be open to the possibility of joining AC Milan if the club were to make contact with him.
Benatia’s potential return to Italy would come as AC Milan continue to reorganise their sporting structure. The club parted company with Igli Tare at the end of May after owner Gerry Cardinale dismissed him following Milan’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
At present, there is no leading candidate for the position, with the club expected to hold further discussions and conduct additional interviews in the coming weeks.
For Benatia, the possibility of working again in Italy would represent a return to a country where he spent important stages of his playing career, while AC Milan are assessing the profile required for the next phase of their sporting management.
