Federico Balzaretti Joins Olympique Marseille as Deputy Sporting Director

Olympique Marseille has made a significant move in its football operations, appointing former Italy international Federico Balzaretti as deputy sporting director. The announcement, confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, marks Balzaretti’s departure from AS Roma, where he served as technical director since 2020. He will support Marseille’s sporting director, Mehdi Benatia, in strengthening the club’s transfer strategy and scouting network under head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Balzaretti, known for his role in Roma’s youth development and successful loan deals, including Tammy Abraham’s integration, brings a wealth of experience to Marseille. His appointment comes as OM seeks to stabilize its inconsistent Ligue 1 campaign and build on recent high-profile signings like Adrien Rabiot. Benatia, a key figure in Marseille’s project since 2023, will continue leading the vision, with Balzaretti focusing on identifying talent and enhancing the club’s youth pipeline.

This dual-director setup aims to leverage Balzaretti’s Italian football expertise alongside Benatia’s strategic oversight, potentially positioning Marseille as a serious contender against PSG. The move signals a bold restructuring behind the scenes, with fans eagerly awaiting the first transfer moves from this new partnership.