What if this announcement was finally the right one? According to France Bleu Orléans, US Orléans should change ownership in the coming days. French investors are said to be in advanced negotiations with Philippe Boutron, the historic manager of the Orléans club, currently 9th in the National championship, the equivalent of the third division of French football. “The investors will arrive quickly, I hope in the next two weeks,” confirmed the majority shareholder of the USO on France Bleu Orléans on Thursday March 27.
A supporter of the yellows and blacks “since he was very young”, Kévin waits in a mixture of impatience and disbelief for the outcome. The failure of the project – announced in mid-January as “very advanced” – led by former international striker Peguy Luyindula, “cooled” him, he said. “A few months ago, we announced the takeover of the club by an American fund. Nothing happened. Hurry up. I hope with all my heart that there will be new management and above all new money to move up to L2 within a few seasons.”
“Solid and ambitious”
His concern is not unfounded. In a few weeks, US Orléans must provide new financial guarantees to the DNCG.
The Authority, which is commonly called the financial policeman of French football, had pronounced an administrative demotion at the start of 2024 as a precautionary measure if the USO was not able to make up its deficit estimated at two million euros. by mid-May. “The potential buyer, whoever he or she may be, must be solid and ambitious. Otherwise, our club will experience the same fate as Tours FC,” warns Kévin.
According to Philippe Boutron, this next sale does not call into question the future of Karim Mokeddem, the coach of the residents of the Source stadium who successfully succeeded Bernard Casoni during the season. Most executives like the attacking duo Kévin Fortuné or Adrian Dabasse should also stay on the banks of the Loire. For Kévin, the recruitment of “at least one good player per line” is essential if US Orléans wants to play the leading roles in the National next season, “because the competition will be at least as fierce as this year”.