What was once presented as a united front at Olympique de Marseille is beginning to show visible signs of strain. According to a report from La Provence, tensions have emerged in recent weeks between club president Pablo Longoria and director of football Medhi Benatia.

Since Longoria’s appointment in 2021, OM have experienced constant turnover across sporting, medical, and executive departments – an environment Benatia knew well before joining, but one that is said to be increasingly wearing him down.

According to several club insiders, the persistent instability at OM is once again taking its toll. “We don’t even know who is who anymore at La Commanderie,” admitted one employee still in post. “We joke about it between ourselves, but it’s actually worrying.” Another former staff member was more blunt: “Every time he feels annoyed or slighted, someone gets pushed out. There is always a scapegoat.”

While there has been no public clash, Benatia is believed to feel that his extensive involvement in sporting decisions and recruitment is not sufficiently recognised. One source described the atmosphere as tense to La Provence: “Between them, it’s strained, that’s for sure. Nobody can work calmly in a context like this.”