# Benatia Reflects on His Time as Marseille’s Sporting Director: ‘We Got It Wrong, But I Never Cheated’

> By  · Published 2026-09-14 · Updated 2026-09-14
> https://lesportifplus.com/en/2026/09/14/benatia-reflects-on-his-time-as-marseilles-sporting-director-we-got-it-wrong-but-i-never-cheated/

## Summary
Mehdi Benatia, now a Canal+ football consultant, reflected on his time as Olympique de Marseille's director of football, admitting mistakes were made but denying any wrongdoing on his part. He urged the club to stay united and calm to give itself the best chance of a stronger, more stable 2026-2027 season.

## Key points
- Mehdi Benatia now works as a football consultant for Canal+
- He admitted Marseille's sporting project under him fell short of expectations
- Benatia denied any dishonest conduct and called for calm ahead of the 2026-2027 season

Mehdi Benatia, speaking on Sunday in his new role as a Canal+ football analyst, addressed his previous stint as Olympique de Marseille’s director of football, admitting that mistakes were made during his time in charge while insisting he always acted with integrity. He also called for unity within the Marseille camp to help ensure a smoother campaign heading into the 2026-2027 season.

## What did Benatia say about his record at Marseille?

Benatia acknowledged that not every decision he made as sporting director produced the desired results, conceding that the club fell short of its ambitions during parts of his tenure. However, he was firm in defending his personal conduct, stressing that any errors were the product of football judgment rather than dishonesty or hidden agendas.

> “We got it wrong at times, but I never cheated,” Benatia said.

## Why is Benatia calling for calm ahead of next season?

Benatia’s comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of Marseille’s recruitment strategy and internal management, with the club aiming to stabilize its footballing project. By urging patience and unity among staff, players, and supporters, he suggested that avoiding turmoil and internal conflict would be key to giving the club a genuine chance at a more successful 2026-2027 campaign.

## What does this mean for Marseille moving forward?

Although Benatia has since moved into media work as a Canal+ consultant, his remarks reflect a broader concern for the club’s trajectory beyond his own departure. His call for composure signals that Marseille’s next phase will depend heavily on internal stability rather than just transfer business or coaching changes.

## Source

- [RMC FOOTBALL](https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/clubs/olympique-marseille/on-s-est-plantes-mais-je-n-ai-jamais-triche-benatia-revient-sur-son-experience-de-dirigeant-a-l-om_AV-202609130395.html) — RMC FOOTBALL

## Sources
- [RMC FOOTBALL](https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/clubs/olympique-marseille/on-s-est-plantes-mais-je-n-ai-jamais-triche-benatia-revient-sur-son-experience-de-dirigeant-a-l-om_AV-202609130395.html)