New Delhi: Girondins de Bordeaux, one of the oldest and most decorated clubs in France, find themselves struggling in the fourth division of French football, the Championnat National 2. Once a powerhouse during the eras of legends like Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, and Zinedine Zidane, Bordeaux is now grappling with severe financial issues that threaten its existence. The club’s spending habits over the past decade have led to significant losses, resulting in disastrous outcomes both on and off the pitch.
Les Girondins found themselves relegated to Ligue 2 two years ago and narrowly avoided an administrative relegation that year by French football’s financial body, the DNCG. After failing to climb back up the ladder of French football, they were finally hit with the killing blow this summer. After several of their appeals weren’t successful, the club eventually succumbed to their fit and gave up their status as a professional club to begin life in the fourth tier of French football.
This led to the closure of the club’s famous academy, that was responsible for producing future French internations like Aurelien Tchouameni and Jules Kounde and other notable players like Grzegorz Krychowiak, Adam Ounas and Sékou Mara. Talks of a potential takeover by Liverpool’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group, offered some hope but they collapsed over the costs associated with the use of the Matmut Atlantique stadium and over the general financial struggles of French football.
Life in the Championnat National 2
📉🇫🇷 Bordeaux won the Ligue 1 title in 2009 and made it to the Champions League Quarterfinals in 2010, beating Bayern Munich twice in the group stage.
They’ve just accepted an administrative relegation to the third tier of French football. A devastating moment for the club. pic.twitter.com/Q6o7O74gj5
— The European Football Express (@TheEuroFE) July 23, 2024
As Bordeaux begins its first season in the fourth tier, the situation has been marred by chaos and uncertainty. Manager Bruno Irles, who joined the club just before the season kicked off, faced an uphill battle on arrival as he had to assemble a team by midnight for their opener against Poitiers to prevent a forfeit. In a quirky turn of events, many former players returned to the club, including defender Cedric Yambere and midfielder Younes Kaabouni.
Former France International, Rio Mavuba, who is a product of the club’s academy and was a coach at the club at the time, came out of retirement to play for the reserves and ex-defender Paul Baysse followed suit. The club eventually fielded a squad of 14 for their first game. From playing in front of stadiums packed with fans and the atmosphere brimming with passion, they played the game against Poitiers behind closed doors.
Playing at the Stade Sainte-Germaine, a nondescript 3,000-seater in the outskirts of the city, the game wasn’t without it’s fair share of drama. Their first tie in the fourth tier ended in a tie, courtesy of a last-minute equaliser, headed in by goalkeeper Lassana Diabate. The drama didn’t end there as Over Mandanda, the younger brother of former France goalkeeper Steve who plays in the same position as his brother, played in the midfield to see out a 5-0 win in a Coupe de France tie last month against their ninth-tier opposition.
Former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, who once held the record for being the most expensive British footballer of all time, is now playing for Bordeaux to help them back up the French football pyramid. The striker admitted that it’s costing him money to play for the club but he’s doing so because he wants to be a part of this project and wants to take the club back up to Ligue 1. The former England International has already scored four goals in two games for Les Girondins.
Unrest amongst fans of Girondins de Bordeaux
Les North Gate demandent le départ immédiat de Gérard Lopez des Girondins. « Cela fait des années qu’on le demande » pic.twitter.com/aAY3ueuXcr
— Nicolas Laplume (@Nicolaplume33) September 1, 2024
At a time when a club and it’s players need their fans the most, conflicts between the two major groups of fans has meant that most of the club’s games are being played behind closed doors for security purposes. Discontent with owner Gérard Lopez has sparked protests, as fans accuse him of mismanagement while still relying on his financial support. The division among supporters has intensified, particularly between the North Gate and Ultramarines factions, complicating the club’s already precarious position.
The protest against the owner have intensified in the last few weeks and fans gathered at the club’s old stadium last month for a day-long demonstration. Their actions were by former players of the club and included mayor Pierre Hurmic among its speakers. Lopez has presided over financial troubles at both Lille and the Lotus F1 team, which has since been sold to Renault.
In response to the turmoil, a fan-led Socios initiative has emerged, aiming to gain some control over the club’s future. With nearly 3,000 members and substantial fundraising efforts, this project seeks to safeguard against future mismanagement. Meanwhile, the women’s team, once a competitor in the Champions League, has suffered due to the men’s financial troubles and has been excluded from national leagues.
The club’s vice-president, Arnaud De Carli, acknowledges the frustrations of fans but points to the difficult situation that Lopez inherited. While some financial indicators suggest the club is not in as dire a state as portrayed online, concerns remain regarding its long-term viability. Despite the challenges, there are glimpses of hope. A recent court ruling has temporarily delayed the threat of liquidation, and the club has returned to its home stadium, drawing significant support for their first match back.
However, restructuring efforts have resulted in layoffs for nearly 100 employees, and the club continues to face uncertain times ahead. Bordeaux currently sit 14th in a division where only the champions gets promoted, the six-time Ligue 1 champions have their work cut out for them. Whether or not Andy Carroll will be able to power them up remains to be seen, but one thing that’s for sure is that, it’s a long way to the top for Bordeaux.
