“We have new associates”. Christophe Petit, one of the two shareholder presidents of Versailles (National), faithful to his discretion, did not want to tell us more. But for the past few days, the arrival of entrepreneurs from the “north” has been discussed around the club which has just finished 5th in the National and which was in the grip of major financial difficulties under the backdrop of delusions of grandeur. As revealed by the Team, it is Alexandre Mulliez (37), grandson of the founder of the Auchan group, former vice-president of Auchan Retail France and director of several companies. He will be accompanied by his right-hand man Fabien Lazare.
Initially, with the help of Didier Quillot, the former director general of the LFP, Christophe Petit and Julien Ridon looked rather abroad. American investors were particularly interested in the club. But even if it is lower (around 3 million euros), they favored the offer of Alexandre Mulliez who will become majority shareholder while leaving them a place. Petit and Ridon, now minority shareholders, will remain on the board of directors.
The arrival of a new shareholder with a large financial surface should reassure the DNCG. Because with a deficit estimated at several million euros, the risk of filing for bankruptcy was very real for Versailles, which had late payments (certain salaries, the rental of the Jean-Bouin stadium or for service providers, etc.). The new shareholders will certainly have to downsize. But it will be necessary to assume the large salaries of the players who had signed for two years or more. If some are offered to other National clubs, their price makes them go back a lot…
Coach Cris is already gone
Many construction sites also start by finding a stadium to play the matches. Versailles should, in any case, not continue to Jean Bouin. The Walter Luzi stadium in Chambly is a possibility but it is still far from being done.
After the departure of Cris, whose style of play will not leave an imperishable memory to the followers of Versailles, a new coach will be quickly appointed.
