Red Bull and Klopp set to help world’s fifth-richest man enter French football

The richest man in France and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s new employers are on the brink of taking over Paris FC in a move that could turn the second-tier side into rivals to Paris St-Germain.

The family holding company of luxury goods tycoon Bernard Arnault, who is said to be the world’s fifth-richest man with a purported wealth of around $170 billion (£130.7bn), has entered a period of exclusivity to buy a majority stake in the club.

The Arnault family would initially hold 55 percent of the club, according to an AFP source (via France24), with Red Bull, who will make Klopp their Head of Global Soccer from January 1, acquiring 15 percent.

Paris FC: Red Bull ‘precious’

Paris’s president since 2012, 72-year-old businessman Pierre Ferracci, will keep 30 percent of the capital before selling his shares to the family in 2027, the outlet’s source said.

“With our support, as well as the precious support of our partner, Red Bull, we are hopeful that, gradually, we will write a beautiful page of French football together,” said Arnault’s eldest son, Antoine, who will be part of the board of directors.

“The values ​​it conveys, the passion it generates, the emotions it arouses – football has long been a great passion for us. Our family has always been close to the world of sport, athletes and young women and men who seek to surpass themselves.”

Arnault added that no specific targets have been set, acknowledging that “sport sometimes has many surprises in store.” The 47-year-old added that the takeover would include “respect for the traditions of a great – and future very great – club”.

Only Elon Musk, Larry Ellison, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are richer than Arnault senior, financial website Forbes says.

Paris FC and PSG

PSG have dominated French football since being bought by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011. The 2020 Champions League finalists were originally part of Paris FC, which was founded in 1969, before the clubs split in 1973.

Paris turned women’s top-flight team FCF Juvisy Essonne into Paris FC women after buying them in 2017. Previously six-time French champions and Coupe de France winners, they reached the group stage of last season’s Women’s Champions League.

Red Bull’s most high-profile investments in football clubs have come in the form of their controlling stakes in Austrian giants RB Salzburg and German heavyweights RB Leipzig, both of whom are regulars in the Champions League and other European competitions.

The host of top players and coaches to have represented the sides include current Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, who led Leipzig between 2019 and 2021, and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who played for Salzburg in 2019.

Red Bull: Paris FC ‘unique’

Klopp is likely to play a part in Paris FC’s potential transformation as part of his role at Red Bull, which will be the German’s first since he ended his nine-year reign at Anfield last season.

“We want to offer our experience and know-how to open up new sporting horizons for Paris FC,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, the group’s Managing Director of Projects and Investments.

“Paris and the Ile de France region are a breeding ground for exceptional football talents, who must first train and grow in a club in their region.

“We are happy to take part in this new adventure and this unique partnership…we look forward to helping attract more female and male talents who will boost the teams’ performance.”

Ferracci said he had “immediately accepted and welcomed” the approach with “the greatest enthusiasm”. “Driven by strong values ​​that resonate with those of Paris FC, they are also savvy investors who know how to commit for the long term and with the greatest respect for the unique history of each of their [clubs],” he observed.

“With Red Bull’s recognised expertise in building ultra-competitive teams, we have the greatest hopes. [We] hope, through our collective work, to transform these hopes into victories.”

Paris are top of Ligue 2 after winning six and losing two of their first eight matches of the season. The top two teams are automatically promoted from the division, with the sides between third and fifth taking part in play-offs to decide one more promotion place.