Daniel Riolo revealed on Monday the identity of one of the favorites to become the next president of Olympique de Marseille. The After Foot member explained that journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi is a candidate, or at least his name is “circulating,” to succeed Pablo Longoria at the helm of the Phocaean club.
With Pablo Longoria leaving and Medhi Benatia likely to follow suit, OM is set for a busy offseason. In search of a new president to lead the team, owner Frank McCourt could surprise everyone by choosing Mohamed Bouhafsi, as reported by Daniel Riolo on RMC. According to Riolo, Bouhafsi’s profile fits the role perfectly in terms of sports, politics, and the Marseille society. His connections in football and networks are deemed crucial for the position.
“The name that is circulating the most is Mohamed Bouhafsi,” he emphasized. “I think he is an excellent choice for this role. While he lacks experience, like Michel Denisot, Jean-Michel Aulas, or Charles Biétry did in the past, he ticks all the boxes mentioned by McCourt. The only box he doesn’t tick is experience, but his role in directing a branch of Mediawan with over 100 employees shows he can handle it.”
Moving forward, Riolo added, “His name is well known in Marseille, and Frank McCourt is familiar with him too.”
Beyond Bouhafsi’s potential appointment, Riolo hinted at the journalist’s interest in taking on the challenge of leading his beloved club. Riolo said, “I know it interests him, I know it’s one of the goals of his life. We knew him when he was very young, but that was fifteen years ago. He has come a long way, and I think he fits perfectly in terms of sports, politics, the city of Marseille, and the Marseille society as a whole.”
In conclusion, Riolo mentioned their close ties and expressed his support for Bouhafsi’s candidacy, considering it a good idea for the club. The article was penned by Jean-Guy Lebreton in collaboration with the After Foot team.
