McCourt 'loses it,' 'mediocrity' at OM, players 'decide,' ex-director Benatia speaks out

Medhi Benatia, who served as Olympique de Marseille's football director until May 2026, has spoken out about his tumultuous tenure. In a detailed interview with France Football, Benatia expressed deep frustration with both the club's leadership and a significant portion of the players.

“

It was a war of attrition. Rightly or wrongly, I chose to be myself, to never turn my back on a problem, to clean up the club.

Benatia described his time at the club as a "war of attrition," stating he chose to confront problems directly and attempt to "clean up the club." However, he admitted he failed to eradicate what he termed "mediocrity," which he found deeply entrenched within the club's facilities. He recounted implementing stricter rules on discipline and daily life, mirroring practices from Italy and Germany, but found resistance due to a culture where player relationships were prioritized over rule enforcement.

“

It is still present. Not like before, but it is unfortunately well anchored.

The former player also revealed a significant rupture with former president Pablo Longoria. Benatia detailed discovering the club's financial difficulties during a meeting in Kuwait in January 2025, just before a match against PSG. When he questioned the team's ability to strengthen, owner Frank McCourt became agitated, exclaiming, "Don't you see the situation?" Benatia felt betrayed by this lack of transparency, stating, "I fight and I discover the finances." He emphasized his commitment to truth, noting he asked for no compensation or confidentiality agreement upon his departure.

“

But don't you see the situation?

Benatia also suggested that former coach Roberto de Zerbi was overwhelmed by the situation and chose to leave in February 2026 due to the persistent issues. He implied that players were shielded from consequences after defeats, stating, "When there is a defeat, you must say nothing to the players." Benatia's candid remarks offer a critical look at the internal dynamics and management of Olympique de Marseille during his tenure.

“

I felt betrayed.