“I’ve been here for at least 10, 15, 20 years, I don’t know yet. It is a project to be implemented gradually. » During his first official speech, this Wednesday in the center of Orly, Antoine Arnault, general director of Christian Dior SE, the family holding company that controls in particular LVMH (ed. also owner of Le Parisien), regularly mentioned the terms of ” long time”, but often antithetical to football this is the whole meaning of the philosophy of his project and his family, for Paris FC.
The ”closing” will be definitively completed after the extraordinary meeting of the club on November 29th which will ratify the new board of directors of the club. Pierre Ferracci has revealed that Michel Denisot, former PSG president, will make his debut. The capital will be distributed as follows: 52% for Agache (Arnault family), 30% for Pierre Ferracci’s holding company, 11% for Red Bull and 7% for BRI, an Anglo-Sri Lankan shareholder who did not want to sell his shares. By 2027 the Arnault family will own approximately 80% and Red Bull 15%.
“We are not here to change everything and turn the situation around”
Antoine Arnault first presented the genesis of the investment in Paris FC by speaking of a “family project”. “With my sister and brothers we were looking for a project that was different from our traditional activities, but also exciting and which united us. Some of us have a passion for football, this is my case. I have a bit of nostalgia for these moments, perhaps nostalgia for the beginnings of an old boomer around. The only thing that unites all generations is sport. »
His brother Frédéric also accompanied him in the negotiations. For a month and a half, Antoine Arnault was able to immerse himself in the atmosphere of the club, meet employees, staff, players and attend Charléty matches. “We are not here to change everything and turn the situation around,” he warns. We are focusing on the current staff and team. The team didn’t need us to be first. Paris FC has difficulty crossing Mont Blanc from L1, together we will get there easier. We want to build, improve, grow but gradually, without skipping steps. »
“Training will be at the center of our strategy. »
Antoine Arnault has detailed “the three pillars” that his family intends to rely on. First of all the “essential values in our group and in our family: ethics, rigor, commitment, humility, the fact that the club comes first”. “I will be uncompromising on this,” he said before mentioning “the long term”
“In our luxury businesses, we give teams time to structure, to create the magic that can exist. We will listen to the fans, we will try to create real enthusiasm. Without putting too much pressure on yourself. We’ve been here a long time. »
Between these two pillars, he presented the main one: “the training that will be at the center of our strategy, which will collapse the fantasies felt since the announcement since our arrival. » For this reason, even before the first talks began on April 22 with the PFC, the Arnault family had already joined forces with Red Bull, met on the Formula 1 circuits through Frédéric Arnault. “We have no expertise in terms of managing football clubs,” acknowledges Antoine Arnault. They will help us in many aspects, recruiting the best players and finding them better than the others. »
But Red Bull will remain only a “sporting partner”. “The club will always belong to our family. There will be
Negotiations have already started between the sporting management of Paris FC and Red Bull in June. “They already knew all the Paris FC players inside out. They have absolutely revolutionary data tools that will help us in the scouting part. I have already met and spoken to Jürgen Klopp (new head of football at Red Bull). He is very excited about the project and the prospect of coming to work with the teams here. »
“You will never hear me say anything negative about PSG”
As for the objectives, Antoine Arnault, who spoke of “a significant investment but without throwing money out the window”, remained on his line of conduct. “We want to create a club on a human scale. It is an ambitious project but without being unrealistic. Paris FC is a great club in Ligue 2 and we will try to make it a very good club in Ligue 1. There is room for another club in Paris. »
Obviously there was talk of a future rivalry with PSG. Antoine Arnault has been repeating his love for this club since he was 12 years old. In his football memories, he also recalled the “Kombuaré header against Real” (1993) and the “victory in the Coupe des Coupes in Brussels” (1996). “I have been a PSG season ticket holder for many years, now I am invited by my friend Nasser. You will never hear me say anything negative about PSG. It’s a club that I admire and that will remain in my heart. The day we are in Ligue 1, I will always support PSG, except twice a year. »
On urgent issues - stadium, expansion of the Orly center – discussions are expected to intensify in the coming weeks. “The team and the fans are fond of Charléty. I like it too. Redeveloped, it could be suitable for our project. The other option is Jean-Bouin, with his constraints, the use of other teams, synthetics, calendars… We will begin to discuss the opportunity of these two options without excluding one. We can play Jean-Bouin while Charléty is retrained. »
What are Antoine Arnault’s plans for developing talent at Paris FC?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Antoine Arnault, General Director of Christian Dior SE
Editor: Good afternoon, Antoine, and thank you for joining us today. Your recent investment in Paris FC has stirred quite a discussion in both the football and fashion worlds. You mentioned this is a “family project.” Could you elaborate on what that means to you and your family?
Antoine Arnault: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The idea was to find a project that not only diverged from our traditional activities but also excited us as a family. Football has this unique ability to bring generations together. My siblings and I share a deep passion for the sport, and this venture allows us to channel that enthusiasm into something meaningful for Paris FC.
Editor: It’s interesting to hear you talk about nostalgia playing a role. Is this also about reviving that sense of community around a club that has had its ups and downs?
Antoine Arnault: Definitely. Football can unite people in incredible ways. I think there’s a deep connection to the roots of the game that resonates with many of us, and we hope to instill that sense of community and pride back into Paris FC. However, it’s important to recognize that we are not here to make radical changes overnight. We want to respect the existing culture and staff.
Editor: You mentioned your desire to focus on the current team and staff without turning everything upside down. With that in mind, what specific steps do you plan to take to ensure a gradual improvement?
Antoine Arnault: We believe in building gradually rather than rushing into things. It’s about understanding the existing framework and working collaboratively with the current team. We will focus on training, development, and recruiting the right talents—values that have always been at the core of our family principles. We are committed to a long-term strategy that emphasizes ethics, rigor, and commitment to the club.
Editor: And training is indeed one of your pillars. How do you plan to integrate that focus into the club’s current structure?
Antoine Arnault: Training will be at the center of our approach. We’re in discussions with Red Bull, who will be our sporting partner. They bring innovative data tools and a fresh perspective on recruitment that will greatly benefit us. We see this collaboration as a way to enhance our training systems and help the club discover talent that aligns with our vision.
Editor: You speak highly of Red Bull, but how do you envision the collaboration while ensuring that Paris FC retains its identity?
Antoine Arnault: That’s a crucial point. While Red Bull will contribute as a sporting partner bringing in their expertise, Paris FC will always remain a family-oriented club. Our goal is to harness their resources without losing sight of our roots. The club’s legacy is important to us, and we want to build on that while injecting fresh energy into the future.
Editor: In your journey so far, you’ve met with players and staff to immerse yourself in the club’s culture. What are your impressions, and what did you aim to learn during these meetings?
Antoine Arnault: It was essential for me to understand the players, the technical staff, and the club’s operations on a personal level. The passion and dedication I witnessed were inspiring. Each individual has a story, and I wanted to hear those stories to truly grasp the heart of Paris FC. We must listen to our fans and the people involved in the club to create genuine enthusiasm moving forward.
Editor: Let’s talk about competition. You mentioned PSG in previous statements. How do you frame your vision for Paris FC in relation to such a prominent rival?
Antoine Arnault: You will never hear me say anything negative about PSG. They are an exceptional club with great history and achievements. Our aim is not to compete directly with them in the short term but to carve out our unique space in French football. We believe there’s tremendous potential for growth at Paris FC, and we want to undertake that journey with patience and commitment.
Editor: Thank you, Antoine, for sharing your insights on this exciting chapter for Paris FC. It sounds like you’re laying a thoughtful foundation for the future.
Antoine Arnault: Thank you for having me. I truly look forward to seeing how we can grow together with the club, the fans, and the city of Paris.