On Friday morning, in the Claude-Nucera press room at the Vélodrome, Medhi Benatia sits in the third row of the reserved area for OM top executives, but the vice-president of the supervisory board gestures for him to move to the front row. The former Juve defender complies immediately.
The ceremony for Stéphane Richard presentation is well orchestrated, with Frank McCourt and his new president playing their parts flawlessly. This marks the dawn of a new era as the 72-year-old American owner aims to make the right choices in personnel going forward.
Florent Ghisolfi, a contact at Sunderland, will not be around much longer. Changes are expected internally with a new organization set to be implemented, guided by a new sports sector boss who will oversee the restructuring. The close associates of the Franco-Moroccan continue their mission for now.
Friday evening, amidst player family lounges and mixed zones, Ali Zarrak, a close aide to “MB” in charge of the youth, greets and chats with followers after OM’s victory over Metz. As speculation swirls about the successor to Benatia, including names like Ghisolfi, Grégory Lorenzi, and Julien Fournier, the search for the ideal candidate continues.
The roadmap for the next football director aligns with previous statements made by the former Orange CEO, emphasizing the importance of building a strong team collective. Names like Ghisolfi, Lorenzi, and Fournier are being floated, each bringing a unique set of skills and experiences to the table.
With various potential candidates in consideration, including Mathieu Bodmer, the outcome of the season for Habib Beye’s team could also impact the final decision. The future direction of Marseille’s football management remains to be seen as the search for the right leader continues.
