Marseille Sporting Director Sought to Offload Mason Greenwood Last Summer
A fresh report has disclosed that Marseille's sporting director, Medhi Benatia, was actively seeking to sell Mason Greenwood during the previous summer transfer window. This surprising development stemmed from deep-seated concerns regarding the forward's overall commitment and his perceived lack of work ethic at the French club.
Impressive Statistics Contrast with Internal Doubts
This internal push to offload Greenwood occurred despite his remarkable on-pitch performance. The former Manchester United player concluded the last Ligue 1 season as the joint top scorer, matching Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele with an impressive tally of 21 goals. His late-season form was particularly crucial, netting six goals in just eight matches to secure Marseille's qualification for the prestigious Champions League.
According to the report from La Provence, this prolific goal-scoring run was instrumental in Greenwood retaining his place at the club, ultimately preventing Benatia's proposed sale. The sporting director had reportedly voiced specific criticisms about Greenwood's defensive contributions and his general avoidance of Benatia within the club's facilities.
Managerial Concerns Echo Sporting Director's Appraisal
These reservations were not isolated to Benatia. The club's head coach at the time, Roberto de Zerbi, briefly aligned with this assessment. De Zerbi had notably dropped Greenwood for key matches against Lens and PSG in March of last year, publicly demanding more from the player.
'I expect more from him. He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough,' De Zerbi stated initially. 'If he wants to achieve his ambition of becoming a champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more and be more determined.'
De Zerbi later provided context, citing personal circumstances and physical fatigue, but reiterated his expectations. 'That is to say that he didn't push himself and wasn't 100 percent as I wanted in training, in terms of what I expect from a player like him.'
Controversial Signing and Internal Club Strife
Greenwood's initial arrival at Marseille in the summer of 2024 was itself a source of significant controversy and internal discord. The club secured his services from Manchester United in a deal worth approximately £30 million.
This move followed a highly publicized period for Greenwood, who had been arrested in January 2022 and charged with attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour. He denied all charges, which were subsequently dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service after key witnesses withdrew and new evidence emerged. After a loan spell at Spanish side Getafe, he made the permanent move to Marseille.
The decision to sign Greenwood reportedly ignited a serious internal dispute. Tensions escalated between Sporting Director Medhi Benatia and Cecilia Barontini, a senior official overseeing club administration, who strongly opposed the signing of both Greenwood and defender Youcef Atal. The situation reportedly became so heated that Barontini filed a police incident report following a confrontation with Benatia. Barontini left the club in December 2024, just six months after being promoted to general manager.
Current Standing and Leadership Changes
Despite the past turmoil, Mason Greenwood remains a pivotal figure for Marseille on the pitch. The forward has continued his prolific form this season, scoring 25 goals in 37 matches across all competitions.
The club's leadership has since undergone changes. Following Roberto de Zerbi's departure last month, Medhi Benatia confirmed he would also be stepping down from his role as sporting director. Although he initially suggested an immediate exit, he later clarified that his departure will take effect at the conclusion of the current season.
