Billionaire-Backed Paris FC: Challenging PSG for the Throne?

Paris has long been an enigma in the arena of European football.

With an impressive talent pool to draw from, the French capital has struggled to nurture more than one top-tier club for decades, let alone establish a perennial local derby in Ligue 1.

While Paris Saint-Germain has maintained an iron grip on French football since its Qatari acquisition in 2011, the lower-league sides that populate Paris’s football landscape have often been mired in precarious finances, regrettable stadium deals, and doomed mergers.

The recent takeover of Paris FC by the Arnault family, the wealthiest billionaires in the world according to Forbes’ 2024 list, external and owners of the prestigious luxury brand empire LVMH, heralds a potential shift in the narrative.

As Antoine Arnault, the eldest scion of Bernard Arnault, graced the stands during Paris FC’s October home match against Grenoble, the acquisition was largely anticipated to be finalized. That day, the Ligue 2 regulars celebrated their fifth consecutive win, solidifying their position as pole position contenders for promotion. Although they have since slipped to second place following a dip in form, one should not be surprised if they reinforce intelligently come January, buoyed by their new financial muscle.

The last credible opposition to PSG’s supremacy emerged in the 1980s when businessman Jean-Luc Lagardere took a short-lived gamble on Racing Club de Paris, renaming the club Matra Racing, amid talks of a merger with Paris FC.

Despite making significant signings including luminaries like David Ginola and Enzo Francescoli, that venture eventually floundered, leaving little but financial distress in its wake, along with a modest run to the Coupe de France final.

While the ambitious long-term goal is to secure a spot in European competition, Paris FC intends to tread carefully, learning from Matra Racing’s cautionary tale.

“We don’t want to jump the gun,” insists club president Pierre Ferracci as he spoke to BBC Sport.

Ferracci, a long-time figure at the helm since 2006, will continue in his role for another three years following the sale of his majority stake to the Arnault family.

“We want to build a team that reflects the talent of the Paris region,” he articulates. “All the top clubs are signing players from Paris; it’s high time for a local club to capitalize on that.” The 72-year-old concludes, “We’re still open to prospects from outside the region, of course.”

The club’s ambition to cultivate local talent positions it as a more relatable alternative to the glittering PSG.

The new management articulates a desire for Paris FC to remain a “popular” club, even if that image might clash with the glamorous identity brought by its billionaire owners.

Paris FC is no stranger to nurturing talent, with notable alumni like Ibrahima Konate, Axel Disasi, and Nordi Mukiele having graced its ranks before rising to represent the French national team.

However, these stars often find themselves plucked away by rival clubs even before donning the Paris FC jersey in a first-team match.

In this context, the strategic involvement of Red Bull, who now possesses an 11% stake, could prove instrumental in shaping the club’s future.

“The men’s and women’s academies are core to our identity, and both the Arnault family and Red Bull will prioritize their development,” assures Ferracci.

For now, any household names are more likely to be found off the pitch, as the club banks on backroom expertise to drive its evolution forward.

Jürgen Klopp, in his forthcoming role as Red Bull’s head of football operations, is poised to be a pivotal figure in this transformation—albeit from afar, with the resourceful Mario Gomez stationed on the ground.

Ferracci is eager to harness Klopp’s involvement, stating, “What he achieved at Liverpool serves as a beacon for us, but we won’t merely try to replicate it. He possesses the technical insight, charisma, and ability to unify, and I’m eagerly anticipating his contributions.”

As critics voice concerns about the club potentially being absorbed into the vast Red Bull franchise, both Arnault and Ferracci have reassured fans regarding the club’s unique identity.

“We’re not going down the multi-club ownership path. The Arnault family holds the majority stake,” Ferracci states definitively, expressing skepticism towards that emerging trend in French football.

A cornerstone of the club’s identity is the undeniable strength of its women’s team.

Previously known as Juvisy before merging with Paris FC in 2017, this formidable squad holds the prestigious title of six-time national champions and consistently competes at a high level in European competitions, typically finishing behind only Lyon and PSG in the league standings.

Maintaining competitiveness with their prestigious neighbours is a pressing target.

Poignantly, the women’s team’s inauguration post-takeover was a high-stakes clash against PSG at Stade Charlety, where a dramatic late equalizer from French international Clara Mateo secured a valuable point for the hosts.

“The ambition is to elevate women’s football to the same heights as the men’s game. While I can’t promise we’ll reach Lyon’s echelon right away, our goal is to break into the top two and then reassess our objectives from that vantage point,” Ferracci declares.

How and where the club’s aspirations manifest remains an open question. Both the men’s and women’s teams currently call the multi-purpose Stade Charlety their home, a venue nestled beside the Peripherique ring road in southeastern Paris.

This open-air stadium presents logistical challenges—its athletics track and limited expansion potential have been echoing concerns about its suitability. Calls for attendance were muted until the club introduced a free ticket initiative last season, which significantly inflated average turnouts to over half its 20,000 capacity.

Ferracci sees the Stade Jean-Bouin, a more intimate venue that operates just beneath the shadow of Parc des Princes and currently serves as the home ground for rugby club Stade Français, as an ideal short-term solution.

“I envision a day when 20,000 seats are inadequate,” Ferracci expresses with optimism. “In the future, we could aim for something around 40,000, which is lacking in either of our current venues. Yet, should we rise to Ligue 1 in the coming years, we will manage with what we have.”

Though the prospect of a vibrant rivalry has occupied the spotlight, the decision-makers at Paris FC are shying away from a narrative of hostility. Antoine Arnault himself has voiced support for PSG, attending matches as a fan long before his involvement with Paris FC.

“I believe there’s enough space for two clubs in Paris, each with their unique stories that can complement one another,” Arnault stated during a press conference designed to ease tensions between supporters.

Ferracci echoes this sentiment, revealing his past as a PSG season ticket holder alongside his son, adding a personal touch to the ongoing narrative.

The involvement of PSG and Brazil icon Rai, along with former PSG president Michel Denisot now associated with Paris FC, underscores a bridge-building approach that seeks mutual respect amid the competitive rivalry.

Whether this amicable strategy withstands the increasing severity of competition remains yet to be seen, yet, for the time being, Paris FC is focused on charting its course towards promotion.