In search of a new president for Olympique de Marseille

Franck McCourt could make a particularly surprising choice.

Next summer promises to be once again particularly eventful for Olympique de Marseille. And not just because of the many expected movements in the transfer market. OM is gearing up for an equally eventful off-season behind the scenes. A consequence of the wave of departures that hit the Sky Blue and White this winter.

Following the resignation of coach Roberto De Zerbi, Medhi Benatia, the director of football, has indeed announced his departure. But this is not expected to happen until the end of the season. Franck McCourt has indeed convinced him to stay until June, in an expanded role, as at the same time Pablo Longoria, the president, was dismissed.

OM is therefore looking for a new president and according to Daniel Riolo, a surprise is to be expected. “The name that is circulating the most is that of Mohamed Bouhafsi,” he stated on the airwaves of RMC. “A profile that I find excellent for this position. From a sporting, political or Marseille society point of view, he ticks all the boxes. He knows Frank McCourt, he knows Medhi Benatia who is leaving, he knows Habib Beye if he is to stay, the players, the agents… His network in football is very important.”

Mohamed Bouhafsi dreams of the position

The journalist inevitably lacks experience. But for the RMC pundit, this lack of experience is not necessarily prohibitive. “He doesn’t have the experience to lead a football club, but like Michel Denisot didn’t have, like Jean-Michel Aulas didn’t have, like Charles Biétry didn’t have,” he recalled. “The only box he doesn’t tick according to what McCourt says is the experience. But he has the experience of leading a branch of Mediawan, which is more than 100 people, so he is used to it. I also remind you that Nasser al-Khelaïfi was a tennis teacher who had no experience in football and who didn’t know Paris or PSG. There is no model or profile with prerequisites for this function. That doesn’t exist.”

And according to Daniel Riolo, Mohamed Bouafsi, the C host, would be delighted with the idea of leading OM. “I know it interests him, I know it’s one of his life goals,” he explained. “We knew him when he was very young, but that was fifteen years ago, he has made his career. I think that in terms of sports, politics, the city of Marseille, Marseille society as a whole, he fits perfectly.”