Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia publicly criticises Jonathan Clauss’ behaviour | OneFootball

Speaking ahead of Olympique de Marseille’s defeat against Stade Brestois, sporting director Medhi Benatia went public in his criticism of Jonathan Clauss (31), whose behaviour he has deemed unacceptable.

Clauss was surprisingly put on the market in the final hours of the January transfer window. Displeased with his withdrawal from the 2-2 draw against AS Monaco, OM offered the France international to West Ham, through intermediaries, as the transfer deadline approached, according to L’Équipe.

However, Clauss ultimately remained at Marseille and the Frenchman still has 18 months remaining on his current deal. Benatia has now confirmed Les Phocéens’ unhappiness with the former RC Lens defender. Speaking to Canal Plus, Benatia said, “I arrived in the month of November and I was warned about two or three players, whose behaviour was sometimes a bit borderline. Jonathan was one of those players. I know he was called to the manager’s office on multiple occasions and told that more was expected of him in terms of his attitude, as a leader and as a France international. We thought he had understood the message, but unfortunately, he had not,” began OM’s sporting director.

Benatia doubles down

Benatia then added that when it was discovered that Clauss had been withdrawn from the match against Monaco in January with what was a simple knock, the staff were “not happy.” He added that Clauss had to “grit his teeth” and play on in this moment.

The sporting director also believed that Clauss wanted to leave after the affair and admitted to calling the player’s agent to discuss the matter. “Guys, if it’s best, if the player is thinking about playing elsewhere, we’ll listen,” he recalls telling Clauss’ agent. “But there was no offer. He is playing. There is no issue. We will see what happens at the end of the season. Since this affair, things have been a little better,” added Benatia, who doubled down on his claims when speaking to Prime Video Sport, noting that Clauss’ “behavioural issues” had been discussed with manager Gennaro Gattuso.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle