Bocsak: Liverpool and Bordeaux – A Strategic Partnership Ahead? | OneFootball

Exploring Bordeaux’s Potential: FSG’s Next Strategic Move

Introduction to Bordeaux’s Appeal

Back on a March episode of the Anfield Index Media Matters podcast, I was asked to name a few clubs FSG could target upon Michael Edwards’ return as their second club for the multi-club model.

One of the teams I mentioned in that episode was Bordeaux. The French team were an obvious choice.

Bordeaux is a historic club, who as recently as 2018/19 competed regularly in European football. It’s the club of Zinedine Zidane. It’s where the likes of Jules Kounde and Aurelien Tchouameni were developed and came through the ranks.

However, recently they have been hit by economic downfall which has blighted the club’s fortunes, and that has also made them open to investment.

Todd Boehly tried to purchase them before he opted for Strasbourg, and there has been other discussions as well. FSG seem to have won the race but now the question will be what they will do next?

Bordeaux’s parallels with Liverpool

In many ways Bordeaux can be compared to Liverpool prior to FSG taking over. Bordeaux is a historic club with a loyal fanbase. The club peaked in the 1980s, winning the league titles three times.

Since then they have fallen on hard times. Economically, they have been run to the ground by inept owners and directors. This has seen them plummet to France’s second tier.

However, while economically, the club has fallen on hard times it still has the infrastructure and a good base to build on.

As mentioned above, Bordeaux has a strong academy and continues to bring through young players. 2007-born Mathys Angely is the latest exciting youth product in the club’s ranks. He has represented and even captained France at youth level and has already broken into the club’s first team.

The Albert Riera connection

Photo by IMAGO

Another factor in why Bordeaux is a club that simply made sense for Liverpool is that there is already a smart and astute manager in place at the club.

Albert Riera was appointed towards the middle of last season and has done a commendable job at Bordeaux so far.

Previously, he had coached in Slovenia and won the league title there playing exciting attacking football. That style of play also saw him lead Slovenian side NK Celje to knocking out Vitoria SC in the UEFA Conference League.

Riera is, of course, a former Liverpool player. He’s also played for Bordeaux during his playing career. Having someone like him in charge of Bordeaux was definitely not a requirement for FSG but it’s an added bonus.

What is Riera’s playing style like? Does it resemble Arne Slot’s?

Being part of a multi-club, the idea is that the teams within that eco-system all play similar or the same style of football.

Riera is an interesting coach. He did his coaching badges with Xavi and Xabi Alonso and prefers possession-heavy football.

Just like Arne Slot, he looks up to Pep Guardiola as inspiration. There are parallels to be drawn between their two styles of play.

Like Slot, Riera wants his side to play positive attacking football. This means quick, short and incisive passing.

And they also prefer to use the same formation. Both Slot and Riera’s preferred formation is the 4-3-3.

That means keeping Riera at Bordeaux would ensure at least a similar style of football at both clubs, which will save FSG the time and effort to search and hire another manager.

What could be FSG’s goal?

FSG will not use Bordeaux simply as a means to improve Liverpool’s standing. No doubt the multi-club model could be to Liverpool’s benefit, but it must also be to Bordeaux’s benefit as well.

The goal will be to build Bordeaux into a sustainable club and to restore it to its former glories. FSG will want to take Bordeaux back to Ligue 1 and then also make them able to compete with the likes of PSG, Lille, Lyon and Marseille as one of the best sides in France.

Considering how volatile French domestic football is, that’s certainly possible. Brest for example, were fighting for relegation two years ago, but last season secured qualification to the Champions League.

Toulouse qualified to the Europa League after being a newly promoted side the season prior and actually faced Liverpool in the competition. So, there is recent precedence for club’s being able to change their fortunes very quickly.

Last season, if we are looking at the table from Matchday 14 (at which point Riera had been in charge of Bordeaux for only three games), the club would have missed out on a promotion position by merely three points.

With FSG’s added investment, less turmoil at the club and better quality players, there is definitely potential there for Riera to guide Bordeaux back to the top flight next season.

How will it change FSG’s recruitment?

The major benefit for Michael Edwards and his team will be the ability to sign players who previously may have been reluctant or not even feasible for Liverpool to sign.

This includes EU-based players under the age of 18 years old, who due to the next post-Brexit work-permit rules and FIFA’s own rules on the signing of underage players are impossible to bring to Liverpool.

However, France is still part of the EU and there are no work-permit requirements, which means players from other EU clubs can move freely from the age of 16.

Bordeaux will also ensure those players from South America and Africa who are on the recruitment team’s radar and already playing first-team football, who may be reluctant to make the leap to Liverpool but would prefer an alternative solution where they are guaranteed regular minutes to acclimatise to Europe.

It would mean FSG wouldn’t have to wait years and spend ages scouting the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz from the moment they emerge on the scene in South America – but could bring them under their umbrella at a much younger age and incorporate them into the system straightaway.

The opportunities are boundless and there will be uncomfortable waters to tread at times. However, overall there is potential there for all parties to benefit.