Park Bench's bid gives Girondins de Bordeaux a lifeline
On Thursday, as the Bordeaux commercial court prepared its agenda, the Girondins de Bordeaux were given a glimmer of hope when the investment fund Park Bench signalled a possible takeover. The club, excluded from all national championships at the start of September due to catastrophic finances, had seemed on the verge of closure.
Financial collapse leaves Girondins on brink
Les supporters had practically lost hope of ever seeing their club recover. The exclusion from every French league at the beginning of September had been announced as the final blow to a club already teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Their despair was amplified by the looming threat of the club folding entirely.
Park Bench poised to rescue club
The regional daily Sud‑Ouest reported that an agreement was close to being finalised between Park Bench and Gérard Lopez. Representatives of both parties informed the Bordeaux commercial court on Wednesday that a deal had been reached, although the signed documents required for the court’s ratification have not yet been submitted.
If the plan materialises, Girondins de Bordeaux would restart the 2026‑2027 season in Régional 1, the sixth tier of French football. The proposed continuation plan would be extended from ten to twelve years, while the debt burden would be halved, dropping from €26 million to €13 million. Gérard Lopez is expected to surrender his shares for a symbolic €1, renouncing both his claims and a potential claw‑back clause.
Park Bench investment offers Girondins de Bordeaux lifeline as they eye Régional 1 restart
The long‑standing dispute over severance payments to former coach Vladimir Petkovic and his assistant, dating from February 2022, has also been revisited. Both men have reportedly accepted a dramatically reduced settlement, easing another financial burden on the club.
The commercial court must first approve the agreement before the regional club‑control commission can validate the 2026‑2027 budget. Only after that clearance can the Girondins de Bordeaux return to the pitch, shedding the dramatic era associated with Gérard Lopez.
OM, FC Nantes and OL see Bordeaux dodge liquidation as Park Bench deal closes
A successful rescue would not only keep a historic club alive but also preserve a community identity that has endured decades of triumphs and tribulations. The prospect of a fresh start in Régional 1 offers supporters a tangible reason to believe the worst of the financial nightmare may finally be behind them.