Rabat – Former Morocco international Medhi Benatia is under consideration for a sporting director role at AC Milan, according to reports in Italy and France.
Foot Mercato reported on Thursday, citing transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, that Benatia is among the names being evaluated as Milan owner Gerry Cardinale looks to reshape the club’s sporting structure.
Moretto said no candidate has yet emerged as the clear favorite, with further meetings and contacts expected over the coming weeks. Benatia, however, would reportedly welcome an opportunity to return to work in Italy, where he previously played for Udinese, Roma and Juventus.
The 39-year-old is currently available after leaving Olympique de Marseille earlier this year and has since begun working as a football consultant for Canal+.
Benatia built executive experience at Marseille
Benatia returned to Marseille in late 2023 as a sporting adviser before being promoted to director of football in early 2025.
He eventually left the French club at the end of the 2025-26 season after helping oversee recruitment and the wider sporting project. Marseille had officially confirmed in May that his tenure would come to an end following the campaign.
His experience in France now appears to have put him on Milan’s radar as the Italian club searches for new leadership behind the scenes.
Milan began a major restructuring in May after failing to qualify for the Champions League. RedBird Capital Partners announced the departures of CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, head coach Massimiliano Allegri and technical director Geoffrey Moncada, describing the season as an “unequivocal failure.”
Benatia has not been formally approached or appointed at this stage, and reports stress that Milan are considering several profiles.
A move would nevertheless mark a return to Italian football for the former Atlas Lions captain, who spent significant periods of his playing career in Serie A.
One familiar face already at Milan is Adrien Rabiot. The French midfielder joined the Rossoneri from Marseille in September 2025 after previously working with Benatia at the Ligue 1 club. Rabiot is under contract with Milan until June 2028.
For now, Benatia remains one of several candidates being assessed, with Milan expected to continue discussions before settling on the structure of their new sporting department.
