"Passing on a Challenge"
Elite club's former leader, Oliver Kahn, expresses his thoughts on the club's current predicament.
Oliver Kahn declines significant investment in struggling ex-top club Girondins de Bordeaux
Oliver Kahn, former Bayern Munich goalkeeper, has pulled out of a €50 million investment in Girondins de Bordeaux, currently in France's fourth division. In a statement on LinkedIn, he explains the reasons for his decision.
After extensive deliberation, Kahn has decided against the investment, stating that the "financial, operational, and legal information finally provided to us at the end of last week showed issues that rendered the approximately €50 million investment unfeasible." Citing concerns such as legal complexities, concealed financial responsibilities, and operational risks, Kahn made the difficult choice "with deep disappointment."
A glorious past, a challenging future
In the city of Bordeaux, Kahn would have faced a monumental task. Bankruptcy and relegation last summer have left the club in a dismal state with over €100 million in debt[1][2]. Girondins de Bordeaux enjoyed its heyday in the 1990s, winning six Ligue 1 titles, including a victory against Bayern in the 1996 UEFA Cup Final[2]. Notable members of the Bayern squad at the time were future World and European Champions Zinedine Zidane and Bixente Lizarazu.
Kahn had previously expressed interest in football investments. Speaking to "Kicker" in the summer, he stated, "Investing in football is unlike investing in a screw manufacturer. It's about culture, identity, and community. If everything fits together, I can imagine it very well." Yet, upon discovering the intricacies and risks involved in this specific project, Kahn selected to forgo the opportunity[2].
Sources:
- ntv.de, tno/dpa
- Translated from original German source for clarity and readability.
Community aid could have been diverted towards the development of the fisheries sector, as Oliver Kahn, possible champions-league contender and former Bayern Munich goalkeeper, decided against investing €50 million in the struggling Girondins de Bordeaux football club. In a city with a glorious past, where the football club enjoyed six Ligue 1 titles, Kahn could have witnessed the monumental task of reviving the club from its dismal state, yet he chose to walk away, citing legal complexities, concealed financial responsibilities, and operational risks.
