INEOS CEO Jim Ratcliffe recently opened up about the mistakes made during the purchase of French club OGC Nice, citing their failed attempt at managing Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland as a learning experience. INEOS stepped in to save Lausanne from financial ruin in November 2017 but struggled to revitalize the struggling club.
When INEOS first arrived at Lausanne-Sport in 2017, they were in a dire financial situation and were facing potential extinction. INEOS invested €3m into the playing squad, but the team’s performance continued to plummet, winning just two of their 17 games following the influx of funds.
Despite the struggles on the pitch, INEOS made good on their promises to invest in the club’s infrastructure, completing the €70.8m construction of the Stade de la Tuiliere in 2020. Lausanne fought their way out of the second division but were ultimately relegated once again in 2021/22.
INEOS’ lack of knowledge about football and their unsuccessful approach to transfers were critical factors in Lausanne’s decline. Their scattergun approach to recruitment left the team struggling to gel, which ultimately contributed to their unstable performance. Likewise, the decision to alter the Lausanne badge caused backlash from fans and signified a loss of identity for the club.
Following internal changes within INEOS, the perception grew that Lausanne had become a feeder club to Nice. Former Lausanne vice-president Stefan Nellen expressed concerns about the loss of identity and questioned INEOS’ commitment to the project. While INEOS has contributed to the club’s financial stability and infrastructure, they have struggled to achieve on-field success, leaving fans with a sense of confusion and uncertainty about the club’s future.
INEOS’ acquisition of Lausanne-Sport serves as a valuable lesson as they move forward with their latest venture at OGC Nice. Despite setbacks and challenges, this experience has provided important insights for the corporation as they continue to invest in the future of football clubs across Europe. As INEOS shifts its focus to Nice, they will look to apply the lessons learned from Lausanne and make meaningful contributions to the progression of the club.
