Summer promises to be particularly hectic in Marseille. Consequence of the catastrophic end of the season experienced by OM. Many movements are expected, whether within the Marseille squad or behind the scenes.
Several team executives want to leave the Olympian ship or will be pushed out by the Marseille leaders. This particularly applies to Leonardo Balerdi, Mason Greenwood, Geronimo Rulli, Pierre-Emile Hojberg and Benjamin Pavard. Habib Beye, called to the rescue after the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, will not be retained either.
But the first expected movement is an arrival: OM is in fact working to find a new sports director to take over from Medhi Benatia, whose departure has been recorded since last winter. And the task is not easy for Stéphane Richard, the new president of the Olympian club, who will take office next July.
Julien Fournier very interested
Several specialists in the position have in fact rejected the club’s approaches. Paul Mitchell, who recently held this position at Monaco and Newcastle, George Syrianos, currently stationed at Nottingham Forest, and Cristiano Guintioli, former sporting director of Juventus, have all rebuffed Marseille’s advances.
But according to Foot Mercato, another avenue could quickly come to fruition. Julien Fournier, former secretary general of the club from 2004 to 2009 alongside Pape Diouf, would be well on his way to succeed Medhi Benatia. The man who was also general manager and then director of football at OGC Nice for eleven seasons before a quick stint at Parma, would be very interested in a return to OM and his first interview with the Marseille decision-makers would have gone very well…
