Marseille sporting director Benatia returns 2 days after quitting

"He resigned on Sunday, just days after the departure of coach Roberto De Zerbi. But, in a statement, the club's American owner Frank McCourt said Benatia had agreed to come back until the end of the season to "oversee all sporting activities." As a consequence, club president Pablo Longoria moves into a more institutional role "in order to represent Marseille within French and especially European bodies," added the statement, which was shared by several media outlets."

"Marseille drew 2-2 at home to Strasbourg on Saturday, after leading 2-0, and sits 12 points behind leader Lens in fourth place. That draw followed a crushing 5-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain and elimination from the Champions League after a 3-0 loss at Club Brugge, leading to a furious response from the fans. Benatia was reportedly loyal to De Zerbi, who left three days after the humiliating PSG defeat."

"During Saturday's match against Strasbourg, both stands behind the goals were vacated by the club's Ultras in protest. One banner urged McCourt and Longoria to leave, along with the words "all of your projects go up in smoke!" Nine-time French champions Marseille have not won a trophy since the now-defunct League Cup in 2012. The club realistically only has the French Cup to play for. It is at home to Toulouse in the quarterfinals next month."

Medhi Benatia returned to Marseille two days after resigning and will oversee all sporting activities until season's end. Club president Pablo Longoria will take a more institutional role to represent Marseille within French and European bodies. The move follows coach Roberto De Zerbi's departure and a run of poor results including a 5-0 loss at PSG and elimination from the Champions League after losing 3-0 at Club Brugge. Fans protested during the 2-2 draw with Strasbourg by vacating end stands and displaying banners calling for McCourt and Longoria to leave. The team sits fourth, twelve points behind Lens and realistically only has the French Cup to play for.

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