Bordeaux, France — Within the training grounds of Bordeaux’s football club lies a massive map that details all the teams the club has encountered in European competitions, featuring illustrious names like AC Milan, Bayern Munich, and Juventus. However, in stark contrast to the past, today’s fans are often unfamiliar with Bordeaux’s current opponents, which now include journeys to modest stadiums in small French towns, a significant departure from the thrilling high-profile matches of yesteryears.
Once a prominent club with a remarkable history, having secured six national championships and known as the former home of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, Bordeaux has now found itself in the amateur-level fourth division of French football, marking a heartbreaking decline. The club is currently grappling with a staggering debt of €118 million (approximately $128 million), leading to the closure of its youth academy, its women’s team, and the majority of its administrative functions. Following a bankruptcy filing, Bordeaux has relinquished its professional sports club status. On November 5, more than 80 staff members are scheduled to be laid off as part of a redundancy plan amounting to €6 million ($6.5 million). Without a prospective investor in sight, one of France’s historic teams is in a race against time to avert potential liquidation.
“It’s disheartening and frustrating,” lamented Alain Giresse, a club legend renowned for scoring 182 goals during his tenure in the 1970s and 1980s. “The demise of the club isn’t a result of our own doing but rather a consequence of mismanagement by those in charge.”
Currently competing in the National 2 league, Bordeaux is three tiers below France’s elite division, facing teams from towns with populations as low as 10,000. In stark contrast, the city of Bordeaux itself is a popular tourist location famous for its exquisite wines, with a metropolitan population nearing one million residents.
For Andy Carroll, the club’s standout player and former Liverpool striker, this situation is also unusual. Carroll, who joined Bordeaux this summer, acknowledged, “I was aware of the challenges they faced, but after our discussions, I recognized there’s a vision here. Bordeaux deserves to be at the pinnacle of football, considering its facilities, stadium, and passionate fans.”
The plight of Bordeaux illustrates the volatility of football in Europe, where elite clubs can dramatically descend through the league system due to relegation rules. Founded in 1936, FC Girondins de Bordeaux has spent 75 seasons in the top division and last claimed the league title in 2009. Additionally, the club boasts four French Cup titles, three League Cups, and reached the UEFA Cup final in 1996.
The club’s training complex, named after the historic Château du Haillan, is situated amidst sprawling meadows, capturing the essence of a club once celebrated for its elegant playmakers, such as Giresse, Zidane, and Yoann Gourcuff. In 2010, excitement filled the grounds when a Gourcuff-led Bordeaux advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals. Now, however, the training pitches often lie desolate.
“It’s like a ghost town; there’s an absence of life here,” Giresse remarked over the phone.
Recently, Bordeaux returned to the 42,000-seat Matmut Atlantique stadium, following a resolution of issues with matchday expenses. However, its out-of-the-way location, a 40-minute tram ride from the city center, adds to the feeling of a neglected venue. During a match on October 19 against Avranches, a team from Normandy, food stands were closed and spectators sat on benches munching on their homemade snacks, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.
Longtime supporter Denis Barbet, who has followed the team since the 1980s, expressed deep sorrow over the youth academy’s closure. “This is a tragedy for all those who lost their jobs,” stated Barbet, 57. “The training center is part of the club’s identity; the Château du Haillan is magnificent. Witnessing its decline after savoring the glory days is simply heartbreaking.”
Barbet’s son, Yoann, graduated from the academy and served as team captain last season when Bordeaux secured a 12th place finish in the second division.
Another devoted fan, Regis Marty, who had the privilege of watching legends like Giresse and Zidane, shares a grim outlook. “There aren’t many pathways ahead apart from securing a strong buyer,” Marty, 61, stated. “I wish for it with all my heart, but it seems challenging.”
During the game, passionate displays from the club’s main supporter groups, Ultramarines and North Gate, reflected differing opinions on leadership. While the Ultramarines waved a large banner proclaiming “renewed hope,” the North Gate group called for president Gérard Lopez to “get lost,” releasing flares that emitted black smoke in protest.
Bordeaux managed a 1-0 victory, with Carroll scoring for the fifth time in three matches. “I still feel youthful and energetic, like I’m 17,” Carroll shared. “I’m happy in my life, in football, and everything outside the club.”
Carroll’s formidable heading ability and impressive ball control distinguish him in the amateur league, a surprising feat considering his 16-season stint in the Premier League where he netted two goals for the England national team. Carroll was transferred to Liverpool for a record £35 million ($46 million) in January 2011, marking the time as the most expensive British player in Premier League history.
Following years plagued by injuries, he played for Amiens last season before joining Bordeaux this year. While his salary remains undisclosed, the amateur league has a cap of €3,500 ($3,800) per month.
“Upon arriving here, I sought a new challenge,” stated Carroll. “I was unsure of what to expect.” Having experienced vibrant atmospheres at St. James’ Park and Anfield, he now embraces the charm of playing in a modest stadium with a capacity of only 2,500 in Saumur. “I cherish it; it’s fantastic. This is grassroots football, where my journey began, evoking many memories. It’s a wonderful feeling to still be part of the game and have fans supporting me at my age.”
So, where did it all unravel? Bordeaux was acquired by General American Capital Partners from its longtime owner, M6 television channel, in 2018, before being sold to King Street. The pandemic along with a failed television deal inflicted severe financial damage on French football. After King Street withdrew, Lopez took over Bordeaux in June 2021. Unfortunately, the club finished at the bottom of Ligue 1 the following season and faced relegation.
Despite narrowly missing a return to the top tier the next year, Lopez attempted to cover substantial financial losses by issuing a shareholder’s loan of €38 million. This season began with the club failing to meet financial standards required by the DNCG, France’s financial watchdog. A potential deal with The Fenway Sports Group, owners of Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox, came to a halt, leading the DNCG to demote Bordeaux to the third tier in July. Subsequently, a commercial court placed the club in receivership, which triggered another drop but offered temporary debt relief.
Fifty academy players were let go to cut costs, securing immediate savings but stripping the club of potential future revenue through the sale of homegrown talents.
Former stars like Giresse, Bixente Lizarazu, and Christophe Dugarry have called for Lopez’s removal, a sentiment echoed by city mayor Pierre Hurmic. While the possibility of liquidation looms, it threatens to cast Bordeaux into the obscurity of regional leagues.
Lopez has not commented on these developments. Currently mid-table early in the season, Bordeaux requires two promotions to reinstate its professional status, meaning a significant reliance on Carroll’s goal-scoring prowess. Despite the daunting challenge ahead, Carroll remains hopeful. “There’s tremendous pressure for us to ascend, given our history,” he said. “If we keep winning, the onus will shift to other teams to thwart our progress.”