Paris FC’s rise into the Ligue 1 lights is about to bring another major change off the pitch. Pierre Ferracci, the president who guided the club from the third tier to the top flight, announced on Monday that he will step down from his role.
Antoine Arnault is expected to take over as president after a board meeting scheduled for 9 November. Arnault, whose family became the club’s principal shareholder alongside Red Bull in November 2024, has already held decisive influence over Paris FC’s strategic direction for more than a year.
Ferracci’s exit had initially been expected at the end of the 2026-27 campaign, but the transition has been brought forward to this autumn. He is set to remain connected to the club as honorary president.
Arnault to lead a new structure
Arnault is not expected to run the daily operations in the manner Ferracci did. Those responsibilities will remain largely with chief executive Jean-Marc Gallot and sporting director Marco Neppe at the club’s Orly training base.
The Arnault family controls 52.4% of Paris FC through Agache Sport. Red Bull, the Austrian group which also owns RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, holds 10.6%.
The remaining shares are divided between BRI Sports Holdings, linked to Lycamobile, with 7.2%, and Ferracci’s Alter Paris vehicle, which owns 29.8%. Ferracci is expected to sell that stake as part of his departure.
A defining figure in Paris FC’s modern history
Ferracci has been in charge since 2012 and oversaw the club’s climb from National, France’s third division, into Ligue 1. During his tenure, Paris FC also established its training centre in Orly, in the Val-de-Marne.
He also played a central role in the growth of the women’s team, now among the leading sides in French football. Paris FC’s women are regularly considered just behind OL Lyonnes and alongside Paris Saint-Germain in the domestic hierarchy.
Gallot paid tribute to the outgoing president, saying: “The overriding feeling is immense respect for Pierre Ferracci and for the work he has done over the past 20 years.
“We thank him for having the vision to shape this club. His contribution to women’s football and to the ambition of creating a major training centre has also been vital. His mark will remain at Paris FC whatever happens.”
Strong start under Liam Rosenior
The boardroom change comes while Paris FC are making an impressive opening to life in Ligue 1. The promoted side have won four of their first seven league fixtures and sit third in the table, behind Lyon and PSG only on goal difference.
Liam Rosenior, appointed during the summer to replace Antoine Kombouaré, has made an immediate impact. The English coach has benefited from an ambitious domestic recruitment drive which brought in Pablo Pagis, Lassine Sinayoko and Patrick Zabi.
Paris FC’s next tests will come against Lens, Monaco and Auxerre. Meetings with Lens and Monaco, in particular, offer the club an early chance to show that its new status is more than a bright start beneath the autumn floodlights.
