Latest news with #MedhiBenatia
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roberto De Zerbi rejects Tottenham Hotspur approach
According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Olympique de Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi has rejected an approach from Tottenham Hotspur, with the Italian intending to stay with Les Olympiens next season. Spurs are preparing to advance talks to replace Ange Postecoglou at the Premier League side, with Brentford manager Thomas Frank in pole position for the job. Spurs reportedly approached De Zerbi for the job in recent days, with other reports suggesting he was one of the candidates also for the Inter Milan job. The club and De Zerbi dispelled the Inter rumour last week, with the Italian speaking to the press after becoming an Honory Citizen of Foggia 'I'm happy in Marseille and I haven't received any calls from other clubs, I want to do good things in the right way there.' After a summit held in the US following the end of the season, De Zerbi agreed with club president Pablo Longoria, sporting director Medhi Benatia, and owner Frank McCourt that he would renew his commitment to the club ahead of a return to Champions League football at the Vélodrome next season. GFFN | George Boxall
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OM's 2024-25 season review 📝
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. The 2024-25 Ligue 1 season came to a close last weekend after the multiplex of the 34th matchday. It's time to reflect on a season full of emotions for OM. It's hard to think about Olympique de Marseille's season without mentioning the numerous clashes with Ligue 1 referees. It all started with the red card given to Leonardo Balerdi against Lyon in September, which provoked Medhi Benatia's anger in the corridors of the Groupama Stadium and on DAZN's microphone. His comments earned him a three-match suspension. The next incident occurred during the match against Lille in the Coupe de France (1-1), where the Marseille sporting director was sent off, along with Olivier Létang, after heated exchanges with Jérémy Stinat, the fourth official of the match. The sanction, harsher for Medhi Benatia than for the Lille official, caused significant frustration among the Olympians. This frustration reached a new level just a few weeks later, when the same Jérémy Stinat sent off Derek Cornelius during the defeat against Auxerre (3-0). A red card that led to Pablo Longoria's memorable outburst during the match. Although they held the second place for most of the season, the Marseillais could have ensured a much smoother end to the season without numerous slips against the "small" teams in the championship. In the end, all's well that ends well for OM, with a runner-up position and direct qualification for the Champions League. Objective accomplished, not without some avoidable turbulence. Several players held their ground in the best possible way this season, but it's hard not to start with Geronimo Rulli, who saved OM on numerous occasions. Notably by stopping his first three penalties faced this season. Adrien Rabiot was also one of the great satisfactions for the Olympians this season. An indefatigable leader and decisive scorer, especially against OL, the former PSG player reminded everyone of the great class player he is. Often inconsistent, Mason Greenwood still had an excellent first season with OM in terms of numbers with 21 goals in L1. Also noteworthy is the magnificent arrival of Amine Gouiri in the winter, who revitalized the Olympian attack with stunning goals. 🚲 ǝpoɯ ǝןɔʎɔıq 🔛🔵⚪️Le magnifique 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞́ 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 d'𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢 🇩🇿 pour permettre à l'OM de faire break 🤩🔥Le résumé complet d'#OMSB29, c'est par ici 👉 ✨ — Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) April 27, 2025 In a historically complicated season defensively, some players in this sector struggled. Signed freely this winter, Luiz Felipe Ramos barely set foot on L1 pitches due to numerous injuries. Will he be retained this summer? Geoffrey Kondogbia and Derek Cornelius also struggled to establish themselves. The former was repositioned in defense due to numerous absences, but his lack of speed was often glaring in Roberto De Zerbi's system. The same goes for the Canadian defender, who was gradually downgraded throughout the season, his lack of speed exposing the Olympian defense too much. Also noteworthy are the departures this winter of Ismaël Koné and Lilian Brassier to Rennes, who never adapted to the Marseille context. OM has a VERY big project, and it's their defense. Pablo Longoria and Medhi Benatia will need to find a way to best support a Leonardo Balerdi often left too alone. In this regard, rumors linking Aymeric Laporte and Facundo Medina have already started to make noise. It remains to be seen if this will materialize. A departure of Luis Henrique to Inter Milan is also expected. The Milanese club seems to have made him a priority according to various sources. It now remains to be seen what will happen with Mason Greenwood and Adrien Rabiot. Could a big offer push the Olympian leaders to part with the season's key players? 📸 CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal Defender Eyed By Marseille Ahead of Crucial Summer
Marseille's Defensive Rebuild Hinges on Key Targets Marseille's summer recruitment strategy is already being shaped around one pressing issue — the defence. With Roberto De Zerbi's side conceding 44 goals this season and ranking 8th in Ligue 1 defensively, bolstering the backline is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Foot Mercato French has reported a series of ambitious targets, as Medhi Benatia draws up plans to strengthen OM's spine. The Marseille faithful may be hoping for reinforcements, but financial reality and negotiating pitfalls suggest this saga could be just as dramatic as anything seen on the pitch. Familiar Failings and Fresh Intent Lilian Brassier and Luiz Felipe were expected to deliver solidity. Instead, they've flattered to deceive, placing added pressure on Leonardo Balerdi and Geoffrey Kondogbia to hold the line. It's a situation that has prompted urgent internal analysis and aggressive scouting efforts, especially for a left-sided centre-back. Photo IMAGO 'In Marseille, experienced profiles are being studied.' Among them are Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal), Olivier Boscagli (PSV), Aymeric Laporte (Al Nassr), and Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund). These are players who have tasted international football, understand high-stakes environments, and — in theory — would represent a substantial upgrade. Advertisement 'The Polish international has been followed for a long time,' Foot Mercato reports, but Arsenal may be unwilling to part with the 24-year-old. Boscagli, although reportedly interested, 'has not made a return to France a priority.' Laporte, wanted by Benatia as early as winter, remains a viable option if a deal can be structured around a free transfer. Medina Interest Hits Financial Wall The most striking name on OM's radar is that of Facundo Medina, RC Lens' 25-year-old Argentinian defender. With 145 Ligue 1 matches under his belt and five Argentina caps, he's hardly a gamble. 'According to his compatriot Leonardo Balerdi, he's very keen to join OM,' reads the report. He's also on the cusp of becoming a French citizen — a big plus, as he'll no longer count against the club's non-EU quota. That ticks several boxes, but not the most important one: affordability. Advertisement 'However, according to our information, the Artois club is expecting at least €25 million for an experienced, international player under contract until June 2028.' That figure alone might be enough to scare OM off, but Medina's salary demands — reportedly inflated by his 'very greedy' agent — have also complicated matters. Budget Constraints and Champions League Variables This is not a summer where Marseille intends to splurge. Club officials are determined to 'set minimum prices, from which OM does not intend to deviate.' In other words, compromise or collapse. Should OM qualify for the Champions League, financial flexibility may improve. But for now, every penny counts. Matches against Le Havre and Rennes will likely define both the club's continental future and the funding available to Benatia. Advertisement Still, Marseille's intent is clear. 'We are more certain of the information gathering,' Foot Mercato notes, suggesting the recruitment work is meticulous and ongoing. Our View – EPL Index Analysis There's a growing buzz around OM's defensive rebuild, and rightly so. For a club that's leaked goals and lost its defensive identity, this kind of clarity and focus from Medhi Benatia is encouraging. Fans are finally seeing a recruitment plan that aims high — Laporte, Kiwior, Medina — those aren't second-tier targets. They're elite-calibre, Champions League-grade defenders. But there's also an edge of realism creeping in. Medina is perfect on paper — EU passport pending, bags of Ligue 1 experience, and clear enthusiasm to join. Yet, €25 million and a 'greedy' agent? That's déjà vu in the worst way for OM supporters, who've seen deals unravel over cash before. If we miss out because of wage demands, that'll sting. Advertisement Still, this feels like a new OM — less willing to overpay, more focused on long-term financial stability. The key will be Champions League qualification. With that golden ticket, we might just land one or two of these big names. Without it, expect Plan B… or even Plan C. Let's just hope De Zerbi gets the support he needs. Because with the right defender alongside Balerdi, this team could actually challenge, not just chase.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Marseille make contact with Bayern Munich's Leroy Sané
Olympique de Marseille guaranteed their return to European football over the weekend. After a torrid 2023/24 campaign, OM missed out entirely on a place in Europe but they are now guaranteed to finish on the podium in Ligue 1 this season, meaning that they will compete in next season's UEFA Champions League. Medhi Benatia is therefore now preparing for a big transfer window with Marseille expected to invest heavily in their playing squad over the summer. However, free agent opportunities are also being explored by Les Phocéens. One particularly interesting option is Bayern Munich's Leroy Sané (29). Advertisement The Germany international is out of contract with the Bavarian side at the end of the season and L'Équipe journalist Loïc Tanzi understands that OM have made contact with his entourage in order to sound out a potential summer move. Whilst an enquiry has been made, Sané would have considerable salary demands. Given OM's ambitions this summer, that may not necessarily put them off making a concrete move. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tours FC removed from French football map
Tours FC has today disappeared from the French footballing map. Their liquidation has been confirmed by the French Football Federation, with the governing body proceeding to remove the club's teams from all of the leagues in which they were competing. The Men's team, at the time of their removal, had been top of the R1, the fifth tier of French football. Their last two games had been postponed amid the uncertainty surrounding Tours' future. There is no longer any doubt. With a financial hole worth a reported €600,000, the club have now gone out of business and have been removed from the league. Tours had hoped to provide financial guarantees in order to retain their status, however, they have failed to do so, with the debt increasing, not decreasing in recent weeks as stakeholders raced to secure the club's short-term future. Tours had been in Ligue 2 as recently as the 2017/18 season. Former players include the likes of Olivier Giroud, Medhi Benatia, and Laurent Koscielny. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
