FSG pull out of Bordeaux deal as Liverpool owners release statement

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are no longer pursuing a deal to purchase French Ligue 2 side Girondins de Bordeaux. Last week it emerged that early discussions had been held between FSG and Bordeaux representatives, with members of an FSG delegation in France for Bordeaux’s appearance before the financial ombudsman of the French game, the DNCG.

The financially stricken club are faced with demotion to the Championnat National for next season if they could not provide proof of a workable budget in the next two weeks, with the talks with FSG having been seen as a way to avoid such a fate.

But with the costs attributed to future costs for the 42,115-seater Matmut Atlantique Stadium, which is owned by the local authority, where a potential purchase was mooted for some €40m, as well as the wider issues around French football’s economic picture, with concerns over the value of the next broadcast deal, a decision has been made to end negotiations.

Sources in the US familiar with the matter at the end pf last week told the ECHO that there was likely a lot of heavy lifting to be done from an operational standpoint should the acquisition had taken place, something that also may have played a role in breaking off talks.

A statement from Bordeaux read: “FC Girondins de Bordeaux and its shareholder have been informed by Fenway Sports Group of its desire not to pursue discussions initiated in recent weeks with a view to purchasing the club. This decision is explained in particular by the significant cost of the stadium in the years to come, but also by the general economic context of French football.

“FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Gérard Lopez thank Fenway Sports Group for the interest shown in the club as well as its teams for traveling to meet its stakeholders.

“The Club and its shareholder are now putting all their energy into finalizing a financing plan for the 2024/2025 season with a view to the appeal hearing.”

Ever since the return of Michael Edwards was announced back in March, the plans of Fenway Sports Group to add another football team to their sporting portfolio haven’t been a secret.

Former Liverpool sporting director Edwards was enticed back to become FSG’s head of football, leading a team that now includes another ex-Reds sporting director, Julian Ward, as well as Pedro Marques, Benfica’s former technical director.

The plan to pursue a multi-club model (MCO) were a key part of Edwards accepting a new role within FSG, one that he believes offers the greatest opportunity for success for Liverpool, and the club or clubs that FSG acquires, in the long term.

An FSG statement read: “Despite our disappointment at having not found a favourable outcome, we wish the club and its supporters the best possible outcome.”

That search will now continue after the ending of talks with Bordeaux chiefs, with markets such as Portugal and Belgium, among others, also on the radar.