Oliver Kahn submits plan for Bordeaux takeover

Former Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn has submitted a formal takeover offer for fourth-division Girondins de Bordeaux, according to Sud-Ouest. The ex-Germany international and his investment partners have filed a “plan de cession” with the court-appointed administrators and legal officials handling Bordeaux’s ongoing financial crisis. The submission arrives on the eve of a critical Commercial Court hearing in which the current club leadership will present its own proposal aimed at ensuring the club’s survival.

Kahn visited Bordeaux in February and met with local political officials on the 21st of that month and had kept a low public profile while continuing due diligence on the club’s case. His progress was motivated by the aim of overtaking current majority owner Gérard Lopez, whose stewardship of Bordeaux has led to successive relegations to the fourth-tier and long-standing financial turmoil.

The court hearing scheduled for Tuesday evening could now be postponed if the judge considers Kahn’s bid credible enough to merit further examination. Under French commercial law, such a delay would be a minimum of two weeks, potentially pushing a decision back until at least June 10.

A key factor in the court’s decision will be the stances of Fortress Investment Group—Bordeaux’s main creditor—and Bordeaux Métropole, both of whom play pivotal roles in the outcome.

Six-time champions of France and UEFA Cup finalists in 1996 Bordeaux currently play in National 2, the fourth tier of French football, following a second administrative relegation in three years. Les Girondins finished fourth – missing out on promotion by in Group B to Stade Briochin.

GFFN | George Boxall