5 free sports directors to replace Javier Ribalta

2023-10-11 13:10:08

October 11, 2023 at 3:10 p.m. by Thomas

Who to replace Javier Ribalta as OM sports director?

Following the meeting revealed to be stormy, from the Olympique de Marseille board Along with groups of club supporters, Marcelino and his staff left the ship at the end of last month. Javier Ribalta, OM football director since the start of last season might do the same, his departure is becoming more and more pressing in the sports or local press. This Wednesday the name of Mehdi Benatia to succeed him is circulating.

Profiles sometimes premium but too labeled as competitors of OM

The young retired footballer attended the Marseille club during the last years of his training, before having an accomplished career in central defense, in clubs and with his Moroccan selection. However, he does not yet have the experience of a sports manager, in the position of sports director (or football director depending on the name), which would fall to him. On the transfer market, there are free ones and some with a solid pedigree.

We have selected five of them, with different profiles, three of whom have already worked for Ligue 1 clubs. Their compatibility with OM is nevertheless limited, if not impossible, due to their personal background. Like Juninho, an icon associated with rival Olympique Lyonnais, whose exercise in the function was not really crowned with success. The Brazilian Leonardo is of another, much superior register, but he also has the label stuck to his forehead as the hated rival; in the emblematic form of Paris Saint-Germain.

Salihamidzic and Massara crossed destinies

The last one, Paul Mitchell, is a little less of a caricature of Marseille’s competition, although he officiated at AS Monaco until very recently. With relative success, but he has obtained excellent results previously, with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

Otherwise, there remains the two international profiles, possibly untouchable for a club of the stature of Olympique de Marseille. The first is Hasan Salihamidzic who served Bayern Munich, where he played most of his career, until he was sidelined last May, in the wake of a new national title although obtained by the Bavarians. Differences with his management which are also the reason for the dismissal of Frederic Massara from his position as director of football at AC Milan last June. He left the Lombard club two years following joining, at the same time as legend Paolo Maldini.

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