Key Takeaways
- Pablo Longoria will become Club Atlético River Plate’s new sporting director
- The former Olympique de Marseille president left the French club in March after internal restructuring
- He rejected European offers to join the Argentine side for personal reasons
Pablo Longoria is preparing to return to football administration. The former Olympique de Marseille president has reached an agreement to become sporting director at Club Atlético River Plate.
According to L’Équipe, Longoria has settled terms with the Argentine giants. He will sign his contract in the coming hours after arriving in Buenos Aires to complete the formalities.
The Spaniard left his post at Marseille in March following a turbulent spell. His departure came after manager Roberto De Zerbi exited the club. During that period, sporting director Medhi Benatia briefly resigned before returning with greater powers. This restructuring saw Longoria moved to institutional duties with limited influence.
His representatives informed L’Équipe that European clubs also wanted his services. However, Longoria selected River Plate as his next destination for emotional reasons. He views the role as a “decision from the heart” rather than a purely professional choice.
The appointment marks a fresh chapter for Longoria outside European football. River Plate supporters will hope his experience in French football can strengthen their squad planning.