Paris FC have rapidly transformed from a lower-division project into one of Ligue 1’s leading teams, with Liam Rosenior guiding a squad that has made an immediate impact under the club’s new ownership.
The club’s rise was built over two decades under Pierre Ferracci, who joined in 2006 when Paris FC were playing in France’s amateur third tier. He later became owner and president, leading the club to Ligue 2 in 2016 and preparing it for investment.
The Arnault family, owners of LVMH, acquired a majority stake in 2024. Ferracci remained president and retained a significant share until the end of the season, but has now stepped away from the club’s day-to-day running. He will continue as honorary president.
“You have to know when to stand aside,” Ferracci said, describing the timing of his departure as appropriate after years of work in the lower divisions and several unsuccessful promotion attempts.
Rosenior was appointed to lead the next stage of the project after leaving Chelsea. The English manager had planned to take time away from football but was attracted by a project resembling his earlier work at Strasbourg, particularly its focus on developing young players.
Paris FC invested almost €80m during the summer transfer window, the third-highest total in Ligue 1. Among their new arrivals are Rudy Matondo, Patrick Zabi, Luca Koleosho and Pablo Pagis, while Lassine Sinayoko has become the team’s decisive attacking figure.
Sinayoko scored twice and assisted Pagis in a 3-1 victory over Monaco, contributing to all three goals. The Malian forward has now either scored or provided an assist for 13 of Paris FC’s 16 league goals this season.
His influence has also been decisive in victories over Marseille and Rennes. Paris FC beat Marseille 3-2 after Sinayoko scored a hat-trick, while his two goals and a late penalty secured a dramatic 4-3 win against Rennes. Further victories over Strasbourg and Nice, plus a draw with Lyon, have placed the club fourth after nine matches, level on points with Lyon and behind only PSG, Lille and Lyon in the table.
The performance against Monaco reinforced the belief that Paris FC’s progress is not simply the result of weaknesses among their rivals. Monaco have fallen away, Rennes have lacked consistency, Marseille face financial limitations and Lens and Lille are led by inexperienced coaches. Paris FC, however, have combined their spending with a clear sporting plan built around Rosenior and emerging talent.
The club’s ambitions extend beyond challenging Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital. Paris FC Féminin are already established as a force in European football, and the men’s team want to follow that path.
“The long-term target is to be one of the biggest clubs in the country. We want to be one of the biggest clubs in Europe,” Rosenior said, adding that this is among the ownership’s objectives.
Paris FC’s rapid progress follows a difficult period that included the appointment of Antoine Kombouaré earlier in the year to help prevent an immediate return to Ligue 2. The scale of the change since then has been striking, with the club now competing near the top of Ligue 1 and presenting a credible challenge to the established order.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.