Closing in on a new era for French sleeping giant PSG
Closing in on a new era for French sleeping giant PSG
By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Paris
Although the sport sections of French newspapers have been dominated this past week by Les Bleues’ exploits in the Women’s World Cup, the fate of the Ligue 1 may dramatically -and discreetly - change in the coming days. Speculation has been running wild in France concerning the future of Leonardo and it now seems inevitable that the former Inter Milan manager will join Paris Saint-Germain before the start of the season. The context in which this signing would be concluded makes it twice as significant. On May 31st 2011, state-run wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority bought a controlling 70% stake in the club, reportedly ready to provide €150million over three years to strengthen the squad. This is a substantial sum of money for a French club and the signing of Leonardo would be a major stepping stone for both PSG and the Ligue 1.
The French club’s takeover was meant to expand Qatar’s influence in the sport and help prepare it for hosting the 2022 World Cup. While the Ligue 1 does not have the same financial appeal as other leagues in Europe, PSG is a club with huge potential which has never been fully achieved. Finishing fourth last season, their best result since 2004, PSG has often failed to meet the fans’ expectations and you would have to go back 17 years to find the club’s last league win.
PSG may have some of the most devoted fans, the new ownership will face important challenges as the club has suffered from poor attendance and hooliganism. With already the second largest fan base in France (after Olympique de Marseille), PSG’s potential audience is enormous as it is the capital’s only club in Ligue 1 – imagine if that was the case for London! The setting is therefore favorable for Paris Saint-Germain to become a top club in Europe and the Qatari investment will look to make it become a challenger on the pitch as well.
A worrying sign for fans however will be the club’s lack of activity on the transfer market since the beginning of the summer. As of July 11th, PSG’s only signings were goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez from Rennes and highly rated French international Kevin Gameiro. Of course it takes time to build up a worldclass club - just ask Sheikh Mansour – and the investment put in the French club may be substantial, it does not allow the same expenditures as Manchester City. However PSG’s main challenge, which City did not face, will be to find a way to attract the best players to France.
The trend has indeed always gone the other way with rising talents often leaving Ligue 1 for Spain, England or Italy. Even winning the league is looking more like a curse for Lille as different clubs around Europe are pulling its best players away. This is where bringing Leonardo on board will be important for PSG. Even with €50million available per year, the club would have almost no buying power internationally. Leonardo, who has been successful at both Milan clubs would not only bring his talent as a manager, he would also create the needed incentive for players to join the French club.
In a recent press conference though, Leonardo – who spent a season at Paris Saint-Germain as a player in the 1990s – has said there was yet to be a deal made between him and PSG. However he did suggest he had been in contact with the new owners. Future is looking bright for the capital club and it will be exciting for any French football fan to see how far they can go.
Can you see a French club like PSG challenging the very best in Europe in five years time?
