Medhi Benatia has made a dramatic U-turn at Marseille amid reported tensions with former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood
Former Man United forward Mason Greenwood looks on
Former Man United forward Mason Greenwood has been at Marseille since 2024(Image: Getty Images)
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Medhi Benatia has performed a dramatic about-turn and will stay at Marseille just days after announcing his departure. The French club's sporting director, who has reportedly had disagreements with former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, made his exit official following Sunday's 2-2 draw with Strasbourg, but club owner Frank McCourt has declared he will be remaining.
The 38-year-old revealed via Instagram that he would be leaving the club, having handed in his resignation before Roberto De Zerbi's departure. However, McCourt, through a press release, has confirmed he is going nowhere and will take on expanded duties that will see him supervising "the entirety of sporting activities."
It has been a turbulent and somewhat catastrophic few weeks for Marseille with back-to-back 3-0 losses in the Champions League seeing them finish outside the top 32. They have also failed to win in three Ligue 1 matches which included a 5-0 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain and surrendering a two-goal advantage against Strasbourg.
Supporter demonstrations have also occurred in the past week with De Zerbi's departure and the absence of clear direction leading to fans choosing not to be in the Stade Velodrome for kick-off this past weekend. Benatia remaining could help restore some stability to the club particularly as they continue searching for a new head coach.
However, the former Roma centre-back has been embroiled in a controversy involving Greenwood. Despite being hailed as the club's standout player and receiving public support from De Zerbi, it has been reported in France that he had a falling out with Benatia.
French publication L'Equipe has alleged that the pair were not on speaking terms, with Benatia criticising Greenwood's conduct both on and off the pitch.
Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia looks on
Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia has performed a U-turn (Image: ALEX MARTIN, AFP via Getty Images)
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The report suggested that the club chief was irritated by the 24-year-old disregarding commercial obligations without concern for potential repercussions. Given these allegations, it seems unlikely that Greenwood will be pleased with Benatia retaining his position and gaining more influence within the club.
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One player likely to welcome the surprising reversal is Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri. It's understood that Benatia played a crucial role in negotiating the loan deal alongside president Pablo Longori.
The exact reasons behind Benatia's change of heart remain unclear, but it appears that drastic action would have been taken based on his departure statement.
Part of his announcement said: "I sense a growing dissatisfaction, a breakdown in communication that I deeply regret. In Marseille, results are the only true measure.
"You know my frankness and transparency. Therefore, given the tensions surrounding the management, I have indeed submitted (not offered) my resignation, because in my opinion, the club will always come before individuals, and I do not want my presence to become an obstacle or a burden to the organisation and its development.
"I leave with the feeling of having done my utmost professionally, but with the regret of not having been able to calm the atmosphere around the team, which, in my opinion, is more than capable of achieving the set objectives."