OM: two new candidates to succeed Benatia

With the departure of director of football Medhi Benatia confirmed at the end of the 2025–2026 season, Olympique de Marseille is on the hunt for a new sporting director to support future president Stéphane Richard. On Wednesday, two new names were leaked…

Olympique de Marseille cannot afford to make a mistake. To support future president Stéphane Richard, the Marseille-based club is on the hunt for a new sporting director to succeed football director Medhi Benatia, whose departure at the end of the 2025-2026 season has been confirmed.

In recent days, the names of Grégory Lorenzi (Brest), Julien Fournier (unattached) and Mathieu Bodmer have been mentioned, although the Le Havre director quickly denied this rumour.

Contacts with Giuntoli?

Naturally, Marseille are exploring every avenue to find the right man for the job, as the chosen candidate will play a key role in the club’s new era. According to information from journalist Matteo Moretto on Wednesday, the side currently fourth in Ligue 1 have recently initiated contact with Cristiano Giuntoli.

Also on the radar of AS Roma and several Premier League clubs, the former director at Napoli and Juventus is reportedly one of the targets currently being tracked by Marseille. For the first time in his career, Giuntoli is keen to take on a challenge abroad and would therefore be open to Marseille’s interest…

Mitchell on the shortlist

But unsurprisingly, the OM management are also considering other candidates. According to the media outlet Foot Mercato, the Marseille bosses are considering Paul Mitchell. A free agent since the end of his spell at Newcastle last summer, the English executive ticks several boxes for the role offered by Marseille.

In the past, he has proven himself at Tottenham and within the Red Bull empire; he has a significant international network and is fluent in several languages, including French, as well as having experience in Ligue 1 at the helm of AS Monaco. It is up to OM to make the right choice…