Mehdi Benatia appointed sporting director of Al-Ittihad... a new era begins for the club
In a pivotal move aimed at restructuring its first football team, Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad club has entered advanced negotiations with former Moroccan international star Mehdi Benatia to assume the role of new sporting director. This move would see Benatia replace Spaniard Ramon Planes, whose departure from the club at the end of the current season is now certain. It represents the first step in the comprehensive overhaul promised by the Al-Ittihad management to its fans after a disappointing season across all competitions.
Context of the decision: A season of forgetting calls for radical changes
The decision to dismiss Planes and appoint a new name to this sensitive position comes as a direct response to the team's lackluster performance during the 2023-2024 season. Despite winning the Saudi Professional League title the previous season and spending heavily to acquire world-class stars like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho, the results were disastrous. The team finished the season in fifth place and exited all competitions empty-handed, including the Club World Cup hosted in Jeddah, the AFC Champions League, and the King's Cup. This sharp decline sparked widespread anger among fans, who demanded immediate administrative and technical changes to restore Al-Ittihad to its former glory.
Why Mehdi Benatia? European experience and a vision for the future
According to reliable media reports, most notably those of renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Al-Ittihad's management sees Mehdi Benatia (39 years old) as the right man for the next phase. Benatia boasts an impressive playing career, having represented some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Roma. This experience has given him a vast network of contacts and in-depth expertise in navigating the international transfer market and dealing with global players. After retiring from playing in December 2021, Benatia quickly transitioned into administration, serving as a sports advisor and then sporting director at Olympique de Marseille. While brief, this experience provided him with valuable insight into the inner workings of major clubs. Furthermore, his previous playing experience with Al-Duhail in Qatar gives him a solid understanding of Gulf football, making him a suitable choice that combines European experience with familiarity with the local context.
Expected impact: The beginning of a new era in the Union
The appointment of Benatia, if officially finalized, would mark the beginning of a new era for Al-Ittihad. He is expected to play a pivotal role in rebuilding the team, starting with his involvement in selecting the new coach and developing a clear strategy for both foreign and domestic player acquisitions during the summer transfer window. The arrival of a figure of Benatia's stature would undoubtedly strengthen the club's negotiating power and attract top players, aligning with the ambitions of both the club and the Saudi Professional League, which aspires to be among the strongest leagues in the world. Al-Ittihad fans anticipate that this move will be the spark that ignites a corrective revolution, returning last season's champions to the podium and enabling them to compete strongly for all titles.
