ONE of the oldest football clubs in French history is now in INEOS’ hands. INEOS Football has acquired OGC Nice, one of the founding members of the French football league.
“It has got all the attributes we were looking for in a good football club,” said CEO Bob Ratcliffe. “Good players. A good squad. Real enthusiasm. And if we apply the INEOS values we will get to the right place.”
With four league titles to their name, the club also has a rich history. But their last cup triumph was in 1997.
INEOS will be looking to instil some of their trademark grit and determination to make them European contenders once again.
“We have looked at a lot of clubs in the manner we look at businesses in INEOS - for value and potential - and Nice fulfils that criteria,” said INEOS Chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Solange Claude, President of CDS 1947, Nice Supporters Club, said the city strongly identified with its football club and had high hopes following INEOS’ takeover.
“We are hopeful for this season,” she said. “Even though we didn’t start very well, we know with INEOS coming, we will overcome any obstacles and win, little by little.”
Jean-Pierre Rivere, President of OGC Nice, said everyone was feeling positive.
“What is happening right now at the stadium is something unbelievable,” said assistant coach Frederic Gioria. “I never thought that one day INEOS would own our club.”
Success is something familiar to Patrick Viera, who has been head coach since last season.
He has played for Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Arsenal.
“INEOS coming to our football club is a massive step forward, not just for us but for the French league as well,” he said. “The INEOS brand is so well known. It will make us more ambitious. We have people who are experienced and have been successful in business.”
OGC, which was founded in 1904, currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Its stadium, the state-of-the-art Allianz Riviera, can accommodate 35,000 fans. Earlier this year it hosted matches during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The decision to buy OGC Nice follows the acquisition of Lausanne Sports Football Club in November 2017.
“We made some mistakes at Lausanne, but we are fast learners,” said Jim. “Those mistakes have been rectified and we are already seeing the benefits.”
He said clubs needed to be successful off the pitch, as well as on it. “OGC Nice will be no different,” he said. “We have a plan in place and we will follow it.”
Patrick Vieira
Head Coach at OGC Nice and considered one of the best players of his generation. He has achieved major honours for both club and country.
Arsenal:
- 3 x Premier League.
- 3 x FA Cup.
- 3x FA Community Shield.
Inter Milan:
- 4 x Siere A.
- 2 x Supercoppa Italiana.
Manchester City:
- 1 x FA Cup.
France:
- 1 x FIFA World Cup.
- 1 x UEFA European Championship
- 1 x FIFA Confederations Cup.
OGC Nice Remaing fixtures: 2019-2020
|
LYON |
V |
NICE |
Nov, Sat 23 |
|
NICE |
V |
ANGERS |
Nov, Sat 30 |
|
ST ETIENNE |
V |
NICE |
Dec, Wed 4 |
|
NICE |
V |
METZ |
Dec, Sat 7 |
|
BREST |
V |
NICE |
Dec, Sat 14 |
|
NICE |
V |
TOULOUSE |
Dec, Sat 21 |
|
ANGERS |
V |
NICE |
Jan, Sat 11 |
|
NICE |
V |
RENNES |
Jan, Sat 25 |
|
NICE |
V |
LYON |
Feb, Sat 1 |
|
REIMS |
V |
NICE |
Feb, Wed 5 |
|
NICE |
V |
NÎMES |
Feb, Sat 8 |
|
TOULOUSE |
V |
NICE |
Feb, Sat 15 |
|
NICE |
V |
BREST |
Feb, Sat 22 |
|
BORDEAUX |
V |
NICE |
Feb, Sat 29 |
|
NICE |
V |
MONACO |
Mar, Sat 7 |
|
PSG |
V |
NICE |
Mar, Sat 14 |
|
NICE |
V |
MONTPELLIER |
Mar, Sat 21 |
|
DIJON |
V |
NICE |
Apr, Sat 5 |
|
NICE |
V |
STRASBOURG |
Apr, Sat 11 |
|
LILLE |
V |
NICE |
Apr, Sat 18 |
|
MARSEILLE |
V |
NICE |
Apr, Sun 26 |
|
NICE |
V |
NANTES |
May, Sat 2 |
|
METZ |
V |
NICE |
May, Sat 9 |
|
NICE |
V |
ST ETIENNE |
May, Sat 16 |
|
AMIENS |
V |
NICE |
May, Sat 23 |
FC Lausanne-Sport Remaing fixtures: 2019-2020
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
WIL |
Nov, FRI 22 |
|
KRIENS |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
Nov, Sat 30 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
VADUZ |
Dec, SUN 8 |
|
GRASSHOPPER |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
Dec, FRI 13 |
|
FC SCHAFFHAUSEN |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
JAN, THUR 23 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
KRIENS |
FEB, Sat 1 |
|
CHIASSO |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
FEB, Sat 8 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
AARAU |
FEB, Sat 15 |
|
WINTERTHUR |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
Feb, Sat 22 |
|
WIL |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
Feb, SAT 29 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
BASEL |
MAR, MON 2 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
VADUZ |
MAR, SAT 7 |
|
GRASSHOPPER |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
MAR, Sat 14 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
FC SLO |
MAR, Sat 21 |
|
AARAU |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
APR, Sat 4 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
CHIASSO |
Mar, SUN 12 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
FC SCHAFFHAUSEN |
Mar, Sat 18 |
|
KRIENS |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
Apr, Sat 25 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
GRASSHOPPER |
MAY, Sat 2 |
|
VADUZ |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
MAY, Sat 9 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
WINTERTHUR |
MAY, TUE 12 |
|
FC SLO |
V |
LAUSANNE SPORT |
May, FRI 15 |
|
LAUSANNE SPORT |
V |
WIL |
May, TUE 19 |