French football club Olympique Marseille finds itself engulfed in unprecedented institutional chaos as sporting director Medhi Benatia dramatically reversed his resignation just 48 hours after stepping down. The stunning development comes amid a deepening crisis at the Mediterranean club, which has seen coach Roberto De Zerbi depart and fan protests intensify.
American owner Frank McCourt confirmed Benatia’s unexpected return through an official statement, revealing the director had agreed to remain until season’s end to oversee all sporting operations. This restructuring simultaneously shifts club president Pablo Longoria into a more institutional role focused on representing Marseille within French and European football bodies.
The club’s on-field performance has mirrored this administrative disarray. Marseille’s recent 2-2 home draw against Strasbourg, after squandering a two-goal lead, followed a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and Champions League elimination after a 3-0 loss to Club Brugge. These disappointing results have left the club languishing twelve points behind league leaders Lens in fourth position.
Fan frustration reached boiling point during the Strasbourg match when Ultras groups vacated both stands behind the goals in protest. One prominently displayed banner demanded the immediate departure of McCourt and Longoria, declaring “all of your projects go up in smoke!”
The nine-time French champions, who haven’t lifted a trophy since the 2012 League Cup, now realistically only contend for the French Cup, where they face Toulouse in next month’s quarterfinals. Meanwhile, reports indicate former Marseille defender Habib Beye, recently dismissed by Rennes, is poised to be named as the new head coach. Assistant coach Jacques Abardonado has been serving in an interim capacity since De Zerbi’s departure.