Milan appoints former Bayern defender Benatia as sporting director

Medhi Benatia is being appointed as the new sporting director of AC Milan, according to several Italian media, after the historic club initiated a radical sporting overhaul following a disappointing season that missed Champions‑League qualification.

Comprehensive staff overhaul at Milan

In the summer, Milan part‑ed ways with coach Massimiliano Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani. On the bench, Ruben Amorim took over, while at the executive level Massimo Calvelli, Hendrik Almstadt, Bobby Gardiner and Domenico Lomonte were given more responsibility.

Benatia's journey from Bayern defender to manager

The 39‑year‑old Moroccan played for FC Bayern from 2014 to 2016, winning the Bundesliga twice and the DFB‑Cup once. He then played in Italy for Juventus Turin, AS Roma and Udinese Calcio, ended his playing career in Turkey in 2021 with Fatih Karagümürk, and subsequently moved into the management of his youth club Olympique Marseille.

At Marseille, Benatia served as sporting director from January 2025 to June 2026, made several promising signings, but repeatedly stood out for his hot‑tempered behaviour on the sidelines and received multiple red cards. In mid‑February he resigned after poor results and the dismissal of coach Roberto De Zerbi, but remained in post until the end of the season.

Since being club‑less since the summer, Benatia has, according to rumours, shown interest in the position at Milan. The reports suggest that he is now set to take over the sporting leadership of the Italian club.

Under Amorim, Milan got off to a solid start to the current season: after three wins and two draws from five games, the team currently sits in fifth place in Serie A.