Category: Football
Series: Breaking
Competition: Serie A
AC Milan are considering former Juventus and Roma defender Mehdi Benatia as they continue their search for a new senior figure to oversee the club’s sporting operations.
Benatia has emerged as one of several candidates being assessed by Milan as owner Gerry Cardinale looks to reshape the club’s sporting structure following the departure of sporting director Igli Tare.
According to reports citing transfer specialist Matteo Moretto, Milan have not yet settled on a leading candidate and are expected to continue holding interviews and making contacts in the coming weeks. Benatia, however, has been identified as a potential option and would reportedly be open to returning to Italy if Milan make an approach.
The possibility would represent a return to Italian football for Benatia, who spent significant parts of his playing career in Serie A with Udinese, Roma and Juventus before moving into football management.
Milan Still Searching for the Right Sporting Structure
Milan’s search for a new senior sporting executive comes after a major restructuring of the club’s management.
Igli Tare left his position at the end of May after Milan failed to qualify for the Champions League, leaving the club without a permanent sporting director. Reports in September indicated that Milan were considering creating a Head of Football position as part of a broader attempt to strengthen the sporting side of the organisation.
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche has previously been reported as a leading candidate for the newly considered role, with reports claiming Milan had already held advanced discussions with him earlier in 2026. However, the search remains open and several names are reportedly being considered.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport has also reported that Cardinale intends to appoint a senior figure within the sporting department but wants that person to operate within the club’s existing shared decision-making model rather than receive complete control over the football operation.
That makes the precise responsibilities of the eventual appointment an important part of Milan’s search.
Why Benatia Has Entered the Picture
Benatia brings an unusual combination of experience to the discussion.
The former Morocco international played at a high level in Serie A, representing Udinese and Roma before joining Juventus. His familiarity with Italian football would therefore be an obvious advantage if Milan were to consider bringing him back to the country.
But his recent experience away from the pitch is arguably more relevant.
Benatia moved into football management after retirement and became a sporting adviser at Marseille before subsequently taking on the club’s sporting director role. He left Marseille at the end of the 2025-26 season and has since worked as a football analyst for Canal+.
Reports indicate that Benatia would be interested in another opportunity in Italy and has made himself available should Milan decide to contact him.
That does not, however, mean negotiations with Milan are underway.
At this stage, the reporting points to Benatia being part of a wider casting process rather than an imminent appointment.
Milan’s Search Is About More Than a Name
The bigger question for Milan is what they actually want the new position to accomplish.
The club has already changed significant parts of its senior management structure during 2026. Massimo Calvelli was appointed CEO, while other senior appointments were made across finance, brand and revenue.
The sporting department, however, has remained an area where Milan have been searching for a clearer structure.
Reports surrounding the proposed Head of Football position suggest the club wants a figure capable of working closely with head coach Rúben Amorim while helping coordinate the sporting side of the organisation.
That means Milan are not simply looking for a former player with a strong football background.
The successful candidate would need to operate within the structure already being developed by Cardinale and work alongside the club’s existing football intelligence and player-trading functions.
Gazzetta has reported that Milan’s current model places considerable influence with the coach and relies on shared decision-making, meaning any incoming sporting executive would be expected to fit into that structure.
Benatia’s Management Experience Will Be Tested
Benatia’s brief period as a sporting director at Marseille gives him relevant experience, but it also means his candidacy will inevitably be assessed against the demands of a club of Milan’s size.
At Marseille, he was involved in sporting decisions and player recruitment during a period of significant activity. Reports from Italy have highlighted several transfer operations associated with his time at the French club.
Milan would represent a different level of scrutiny.
The Rossoneri are attempting to build a structure capable of competing domestically and returning to the Champions League after missing out on European football’s elite competition.
The person appointed to the role would therefore be entering an environment where recruitment, squad planning, coaching relationships and long-term sporting strategy are likely to face intense attention.
No Decision Yet
For now, Benatia should be viewed as a candidate rather than Milan’s next Head of Football.
The latest reporting indicates that Cardinale and Milan are still evaluating their options, with additional meetings and contacts expected before a final decision is made.
Krösche remains one of the names previously strongly linked with the position, while Benatia has now entered the conversation as another possible option.
Whether Milan eventually turn to the former Juventus defender will depend on how the club assesses his experience, his compatibility with the existing structure and the responsibilities attached to the new role.
For now, the search continues.
Benatia is in the conversation. He is not yet the answer.
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