In an interview with Sud-Ouest at the start of the week, Gérard Lopez confirmed his desire to stay at the Girondins de Bordeaux, despite the Aquitaine club’s fall from Ligue 1 to National 2 since his arrival.
In an official press release published on Tuesday evening, the Girondins de Bordeaux announced that the club would remain in receivership and thus avoid compulsory liquidation. A victory for Gérard Lopez, who explained earlier in the week to the media Sud-Ouest that he had no intention of packing his bags. Despite his club’s descent into hell, from Ligue 1 to National 2 since he took office, the former LOSC boss wants to stay. His plan is simple: to make Bordeaux a club that counts in France again, to get it back into Ligue 1 and get its marbles back. A disastrous situation for the supporters of the Navy and White, who are strongly demanding the departure of the Luxembourg businessman.
Politicians would do well to get involved as well, according to Bernard Lions, who focused on the situation of the Girondins on the set of the L’Equipe channel. “What is terrible about the Girondins de Bordeaux is that they have hit rock bottom, and Mr. Lopez decides to continue digging. In a period not so long ago, this happened to a big French club, namely Strasbourg, which had filed for bankruptcy and gone bankrupt. Marc Keller and investors had taken over the club and rebuilt it. Now, we realize that as long as Gérard Lopez is there trying to recover his money here and there, the Girondins de Bordeaux are being held hostage. I don’t understand the positioning of politicians, starting with the mayor of Bordeaux.” said Bernard Lions before continuing.
Bernard Lions challenges Bordeaux politicians
“There is Matmut Atlantique, there is Le Haillan, it is the collective heritage of the people of Bordeaux. I do not understand why there is no political pressure to make him leave. Because from the moment he leaves, if the club is put into receivership and he has to start from the bottom, he will leave again. Seeing what is happening today in this club, it breaks my heart terribly” explained the journalist from L’Equipe, who would like to see politicians get more involved in order to force Gérard Lopez to leave the Girondins de Bordeaux. But the former Lille manager is the boss of the club with the scapular and to this day, he remains master of his decisions. And for the moment, his choice is – unfortunately for the supporters – to stay at the club, thus refusing a sale to local investors.
