New Delhi: The French club’s vice president said on Friday that Oliver Kahn, a former goalie for Germany, had begun negotiations to purchase the indebted Bordeaux. After an initial attempt through former Marseille president Jacques-Henri Eyraud, Kahn is now in direct touch with Bordeaux president Gérard Lopez, Arnaud De Carli told The Associated Press over the phone.
De Carli confirmed that they were approached by Eyraud on behalf of Oliver Kahn. The German legend had gotten in touch with Bordeaux three weeks prior. “There is nothing further at this point.” In an interview with the German daily Bild, Kahn acknowledged that talks had begun but were still in their early phases.
What happened to Bordeaux?
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: BORDEAUX WILL GIVE UP THEIR PROFESSIONAL STATUS AS A CLUB! 🤯🤯
Players’ contracts will be terminated, the training centre will close. 😱❌
(Source: @SO_Girondins) pic.twitter.com/8MFeohOxXM
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 25, 2024
Once home to France greats Zinedine Zidane and Alain Giresse, Bordeaux is a six-time French champion that is currently saddled with debt totaling 118 million euros ($128 million) and resides in the fourth division of French football. They were relegated to the National 2 tier last summer after “Les Girondins” failed to provide financial guarantees to the DNCG, the French football financial body.
The club suffered a first relegation to the third division before the city’s commercial court placed it in receivership, which led to yet another relegation. As a result, the club was able to freeze its debt, but it also had to give up its professional status. “We tried to find out a bit more about the funds behind,” De Carli said. “They didn’t want to reveal the funds (but) at this stage that’s normal. I think they will come back.”
What is the situation with Oliver Kahn?
🚨🇩🇪 Oliver Kahn is in talks to purchase French side Bordeaux, reports @BILD! 💰
Bordeaux currently have serious financial issues. They are now in the 4th tier of French football with debts of €118m, according to ESPN. pic.twitter.com/avlwIv0FcE
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 4, 2025
According to De Carli, it is currently unknown what kind of support or investors Kahn, who was a member of Bayern Munich when the team defeated Zidane’s Bordeaux in the 1996 UEFA Cup final, would bring. Bordeaux intend to prolong their debt freeze until the end of the season at its next meeting with creditors on January 15. With just one promotion slot up for grabs, the team, who signed former England and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll during the summer, is currently in fourth place in its tier.
The two biggest Ultras fan groups rekindled their rivalry from the previous season last month when they battled outside the stadium over the club’s management. At one point, the 55-year-old Kahn was regarded as the best goaltender in the world. He helped Germany win the European Championship in 1996 and go to the World Cup final in 2002. He played more than 600 games with Bayern, earning numerous titles.
Former Germany goalkeeper and Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn has reportedly entered discussions to acquire French club Bordeaux, which is currently grappling with significant financial difficulties. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
