Medhi Benatia: Former Bayern Star on the Path to Becoming AC Milan's Sporting Director?

Autumn 2026. The old chants still echo in the San Siro stands, the jersey-raising rituals unchanged. But in the club's corridors, deep within the management structure, a silent revolution is underway. The phone was propped on a railing, and suddenly the whole stadium became my living room. I have been watching football for 47 years, but this season's Milan story feels different. Everyone knows about last season's disappointing finish. Failure to qualify for the Champions League not only frustrated fans but dealt a major blow to the club's financial structure. The decision the owners made after this failure was almost a radical overhaul. Sporting director Tare, technical director Moncada, even CEO Furlani were all removed. Ruben Amorim was then brought in as coach. Three wins and two draws in five matches — a relatively good start. But the biggest news lies elsewhere. According to Goal.com's report, AC Milan's next sporting director may be Medhi Benatia. The 39-year-old former Moroccan defender has played for Bayern Munich, Juventus, Roma, and Udinese. He served as Marseille's sporting director from January 2026 to June 2026. Sources suggest his appointment is nearly certain, though no official announcement has been made yet. I have watched the transition from player to administrator for many years. But Benatia's journey is exceptional. His playing career speaks for itself. However, his experience as a sporting director is barely a year and a half. His time at Marseille was mixed — some promising transfers, but poor results led to coach De Zerbi's dismissal, and Benatia himself offered his resignation. He was then asked to stay for the remainder of the season. A question arises here. Will Milan really entrust the club's future to an unproven, short-experienced sporting director? In my analysis, this appointment carries three levels of risk. First, financial pressure. Without Champions League revenue, Milan's transfer budget is limited. Second, it is unclear whether Benatia's transfer philosophy aligns with Amorim's 3-4-3 system. Third, his temperament. He has received red cards on the touchline at Marseille, indicating he is emotional. But the advantages also deserve consideration. Experience playing for clubs like Bayern and Juventus will help him connect easily with players. More importantly, four internal executives at Milan (Calvelli, Almstadt, Gardiner, Lomonte) have already been promoted. If Benatia works shoulder-to-shoulder with them, the new structure could function. Milan's recent form (3 wins, 2 draws) has created a stable platform for the incoming sporting director. But in football, memories fade quickly. If results deteriorate under Amorim — which often happens after the new-manager bounce fades — criticism of this appointment will begin. Benatia's real test will come in the January transfer window, when he must prove he is not just a name but a builder of institutions. In my 47 years of experience, the most important time for building a club's future is these moments of relative calm. The decisions being made now will determine the path for the next three or four seasons. Will the trophies won in Bayern's colors during his prime be enough, or does Marseille's turbulent months reveal his true capability? When Amorim's team attacks on the San Siro pitch, questions will constantly arise about the transfer list written by a 39-year-old near the bench. Time will tell — not just for the announcement, but for every one of the 629 minutes ahead of the club.