Former Juventus and Bayern Munich defender Medhi Benatia has returned to Marseille, the club where he started, as sporting director, the Ligue 1 side announced on Thursday.

The 36-year-old, who played 66 times for Morocco and captained them at the 2018 World Cup, takes over from Javier Ribalta in the wake of a tumultuous meeting between the club's directors and representatives of supporters' groups in September.

However, he will not have the same status as Ribalta, who was a member of the board.

"Medhi Benatia... will help to develop and implement the club's sporting strategy, in particular to attract, train and retain the best talent," the club said in a statement.

Marseille, 12th in Ligue 1, host Rennes on Sunday.