Another familiar face has stepped away from Bordeaux as the club begins life under new ownership. Arnaud De Carli, the Girondins’ vice-president during the Gérard Lopez era, has left only days after investment fund Park Bench completed its takeover.
De Carli follows Karim Saada, Bordeaux’s sporting coordinator and recruitment chief, out of the club. The 51-year-old entrepreneur arrived in August 2024, after Bordeaux’s insolvency proceedings and relegation to National 2, and became a central figure in the effort to keep the institution functioning through a difficult period.
His remit extended across several areas of the first team, including operational organisation, player integration and the club’s internal and external relations. But De Carli said his departure was necessary as Bordeaux seeks to draw a clear line beneath the previous regime.
“There is frustration because I am always frustrated when I cannot see a project through,” he said. “But I believe this is best for the club and for everyone. I am too closely associated with Gérard Lopez, and Bordeaux needs to start again from a blank page.”
A clean break after the takeover
De Carli had known Lopez since 2021, although their relationship deteriorated following Bordeaux’s appearance before the DNCG on 30 June. Looking back on his time at the club, the outgoing vice-president admitted he had failed to make a stronger stand when he felt the club was heading in the wrong direction.
“I made mistakes, particularly not saying no when I could see Bordeaux was taking the wrong path,” he said. “I raised it, but my voice was not heard.”
The administrative structure is expected to remain largely intact under Park Bench. General director Arnaud Saint-André and the eight other administrative employees currently in post will stay, working alongside new Bordeaux president Dominique Delport as the club attempts to rebuild after one of the darkest chapters in its history.
