Failures of Ratcliffe’s investment leave Nice struggling in France
- Paris Saint-Germain has dominated French football, winning 10 titles in 12 seasons, leaving other clubs in despair.
- Since the INEOS takeover, OGC Nice reached the French Cup final in 2022 but faced a humiliating exit to a lower-tier team the following year.
- The hope of playing Champions League football within a few years remains elusive amid instability and management changes at the club.
In France, the past decade has seen Paris Saint-Germain dominate Ligue 1 and substantially alter the football landscape with their financial backing from Qatar Sports Investments. Having claimed an impressive 10 titles in 12 seasons, PSG's success has led to disillusionment among supporters of other clubs, including OGC Nice. Since the INEOS takeover, Nice has experienced fluctuating performance levels, achieving a considerable high by reaching the French Cup final in 2022 but later suffering a humiliating exit in 2023. Bob Ratcliffe's comments about the club playing Champions League football within five years remain distant from reality amid ongoing managerial instability, with numerous changes in sporting directors and coaches adversely affecting the club's consistency and growth. The transitional period for Nice showcases both the struggles of competitive positioning against a powerhouse like PSG and the challenges faced in club management and strategy. Looking ahead, the prospect of success remains clouded by the need for coherence in management and direction as Ratcliffe's leadership continues to be evaluated against the backdrop of underwhelming progress and expectations.