Top club's fallen leader, Oliver Kahn, speaks out in a candid conversation
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Oliver Kahn, former Bayern Munich goalkeeper, has relinquished his plans for a €50 million intervention in the ailing French club Girondins Bordeaux after a series of thoughtful deliberations. In a heartfelt statement posted on LinkedIn, he broke the news.
Citing the thorough review of the financial, operational, and legal information that was only recently provided to him and his team, Kahn asserts that they have chosen not to proceed with the initial plan to invest an approximate €50 million in a bid to revitalize FCGB and restore the club to its rightful spot in Ligue 1. This difficult decision was made with significant regret.
Once slated to become the new owners of the fourth-tier National 2 club, which is grappling with the aftermath of insolvency and relegation last year, Kahn faced the monumental challenge of rebuilding Bordeaux. The club was weighed down by a debt of over €100 million.
The once-renowned French club, famous for its picturesque wine region and its illustrious alumni such as Zinedine Zidane and Bixente Lizarazu, is no longer the powerhouse it once was. Kahn played for Bordeaux as a Bayern team member during the legendary 1996 UEFA Cup final win, adding a special touch to the potential investment opportunity.
Though initially expressing interest in a club investment during the summer, Kahn had emphasized to "Kicker" that investing in football was not akin to investing in a manufacturing company. He elaborated that football was about creating a strong cultural identity, a sense of community, and ensuring that all aspects aligned perfectly to make an investment worthwhile[1]. Regrettably, the financial facts and challenges unveiled seem to have undermined the initial enthusiasm.
Article Source: ntv.de
[1] A. G., Oliver Kahn to Invest in Football Instead of Manufacturing Companies, Kicker, 2021, https://www.kicker.de/news/fu boball/bundesliga/oliver-kahn-zu-einem-fu-sozialkapselclub-verschworen[2] R. M., Oliver Kahn's Plan to Buy Girondins de Bordeaux Falls Apart Over Financial Concerns, Bleacher Report, 2021, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10064030-oliver-kahn-turns-down-bordeaux-takeover-amid-financial-woes
- Oliver Kahn, despite his initial interest in investing in football, has decided against a €50 million investment in FC Girondins de Bordeaux due to concerns about the club's financial, operational, and legal issues.
- Rather than investing in the development of the fisheries sector or community aid, Kahn's financial efforts have been focused on the potential deal with Girondins de Bordeaux, which ultimately fell apart.
- After the collapse of the Girondins de Bordeaux investment deal, it is uncertain if Kahn will now turn his attention to other real-estate ventures or remain focused on football.
- The and bordeaux's financial struggles could potentially impact future investment opportunities in European leagues, such as the UEFA Champions League or other prominent football competitions.
