46 years after his last steps in the first division, the Parisian club, owned by the family of Bernard Arnault, will play in Ligue 1 next season alongside PSG.
Festive evening in Paris. Held in check in Martigues (1-1) but taking advantage of the stunning draw between Metz and Rodez (3-3), during the 33rd and penultimate day of Ligue 2, Paris FC officially validated its climb in Ligue 1 this Friday. The Parisian club, frustrated four times in accession dam in recent seasons, will find an elite of French football next season next season which has escaped it since 1979, after a first pass between 1972 and 1974.
A direct consequence of this success: for the first time since 1990 (it was the Racing Club of Paris and PSG at the time), there will be two Paris teams in the first division in the summer of 2025: the ambitious promoted and the champion of France, Paris Saint-Germain. The two neighbors will also play their home matches a few meters away – but undoubtedly not the same days – respectively at the Jean -Bouin stadium (shared by the Paris FC with the Stade Français in Top 14) and at the Parc des Princes.
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First objective achieved for the Arnault family
This rise in Ligue 1 is a first big victory for the family of Bernard Arnault who bought, via his holding company, the Paris FC club last November, supported by the Austrian group Red Bull whose director of football is none other than the German Jürgen Klopp. With another day to be played (Ajaccio reception), Paris FC (2nd) can even dream of the title of French league champion 2.. It will take the two points apart with the leader Lorient, beaten this Friday in Ajaccio (2-1). FC Metz, 3rd, will play the dams.
At first, Paris FC wishes to stabilize in the elite before aiming in some seasons “European places“, According to Pierre Ferracci, the historic president. “”We must start by avoiding any industrial accident which would consist in seeing us go back to Ligue 2 at the end of next season“, Warning the leader, who will leave his place to one of the children of Bernard Arnault in 2027, probably to Antoine who accompanies him since the takeover. “”Some will say that it is a communication in Guy Rouxhe resumes, that with the Arnault family, there is the capital to have stronger ambitions, but we have too much respect for all the teams that we are going to face and who have been there for decades to try to keep us without burning the steps».
Food in Ligue 1
«Climb was a fierce struggle“Recalls Stéphane Gilli, the coach for two seasons. “”With Lorient, Metz and Dunkirk, we fought every weekend. This climb highlights all the work accomplished for years». If the PFC is ahead of the passage times fixed during its acquisition, a gigantic task remains to be accomplished to meet expectations. In recruitment first, to ensure the maintenance in Ligue 1. “We will strengthen the team. To see what positions you have to put players who have experience to achieve this goal in a serene way,, It dits Ferracs.
Red Bull contributes in this area by intervening in the detection of young talents. The effort also relates to the budget. The PFC had around 30 million euros in Ligue 2 when Montpellier, relegated but 8th budget of Ligue 1, spent 50 million on its only payroll. The PFC must pass the financial gendarme of French football on June 19 with a budget for Ligue 1 which it will have previously drawn during a board of directors on May 12, once the Ligue 2 championship is completed. There are many sites before Paris FC could tease Paris SG sportingly, in a derby of the capital that everyone dreams of.
Clermont believes in maintenance, the Red Star gets it
On the other lawns in Ligue 2, in a match between two pretenders of the accession dams, Dunkirk (4th) could not do better than a 0-0 draw against Laval (6th), like Guingamp hung 2-2 by Bastia (9th). With this point, the En Avant retains its precious 5th place, the ultimate qualifying for accession dams in Ligue 1.
Annecy can no longer believe in a participation in this dam after being surprised by Clermont by bowing 3-2 in Auvergne. One day from the end, the Clermontois carry out a very good operation in the fight for the maintenance by doubling Martigues (17th) to recover the place of barragist unlike goals.
At home, Grenoble got out of Troyes (3-1), while Amiens largely beat Pau (4-2) thanks in particular to a double of Louis Mafouta (7th, 24th). Relegated since April 18, Caen has held in check (1-1) the Red Star, 15th, who ensures the maintenance.
