When Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group purchased Ligue 1 club OGC Nice in 2019, the rallying cry from the owners was that they would take the club back to the Champions League — a competition they last participated in during the 1950s. Ratcliffe was optimistic, the fans were excited, and everyone affiliated with Nice believed that the good times were about to roll.
Six years later, Les Aiglons have confirmed their place in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Champions League after a fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 — but this success has little to do with Ratcliffe or INEOS. In fact, it could be argued that INEOS stepping away from the club’s day-to-day affairs is what enabled them to register their best season yet — both in terms of overall performance and league position.
Once INEOS took over the sporting-side ownership of Manchester United FC, UEFA stipulations dictated that the governing body of one club could not exert the same influence over another. Understandably, INEOS chose the shiny new Mancunian toy, leaving Nice to their own devices.
As it turned out, this was a blessing in disguise. With a revolutionary change that transpired last summer, Nice began to show coherence in how they bought into the ideas of their new head coach. Despite INEOS showing no interest in strengthening the club through the transfer market — with just one signing coming through the door in the summer — Franck Haise made the most of what was available to him.
It is never easy to steer a club when the ownership is absent for vast stretches of the season. It is even more arduous when said owner goes on a rather public tirade to denigrate the club in front of the world.
“I don’t particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players but the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited,” said Ratcliffe in March.
Had he watched them play, he would have seen a team with principles, a soundly structured squad, and, more importantly, a club that did not need to bet their future on a single game.
Haise has been measured, pragmatic, and vocal in equal measure. He played down Ratcliffe’s comments and set about doing what he does best. Injuries threatened to derail his team’s push, but he adapted on the fly. And, as they say, the proof is in the pudding.
Such has been Nice’s success this season that even Ratcliffe has been forced to concede that they are arguably better off without INEOS. “The best season that Nice has had is this one where we’ve not been allowed to get involved,” he has admitted. “They’ve been so much better without our interference.”
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows at the Allianz Riviera. The celebration of Champions League qualification will probably be overshadowed by another season of INEOS abandon, forcing the club to face the unpleasant reality of letting key players go in order to remain financially viable — especially given the backdrop of the uncertainty the French top flight faces in terms of broadcast rights.
“We will have to sell to buy,” admitted Haise recently, aware of the situation Nice are in.
But if this season is any indication of things to come, Nice will find a way to stay competitive. They did it this season, and you won’t want to count against them doing it again.
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