Two clubs in L1 in the capital next season, Paris FC of the Arnault family reaches the elite and joins PSG

Initially, the club wants to stabilize in the elite before aiming for "European places" in a few seasons, according to Pierre Ferracci, the long-standing president.

"We must start by avoiding any industrial accident that would see us return to Ligue 2 at the end of next season," warns the manager, who will hand over his place to one of Bernard Arnault's children in 2027, probably to Antoine, who has been with him since the takeover.

"Some will say that this is Guy Roux-style communication," he continues, "that with the Arnault family, there is the capital to have stronger ambitions, but we have too much respect for all the teams we are going to face and who have been there for decades to try to keep us going without rushing things."

"Promotion was a fierce battle," recalls Stéphane Gilli, the coach for the past two seasons, who will remain in his position next year. "With Lorient, Metz, and Dunkirk, we fought every weekend. This promotion highlights all the work we've done over the years."

While PFC is ahead of the deadlines set when it was acquired, a huge task remains to be accomplished to meet expectations.

Numerous construction sites

Firstly, in terms of recruitment, to ensure our team stays in Ligue 1. "We're going to strengthen the team. We'll see which positions we absolutely need to put players with the experience to achieve this goal with confidence," says Ferracci.

Red Bull contributes in this area by intervening in the detection of young talents.

The effort also affects the budget. PFC had around 30 million euros in Ligue 2, while Montpellier, relegated but with an 8th-highest budget in Ligue 1, spent 50 million on its payroll alone.

"We must take into account the industrial disaster that is TV rights. Thanks to solid shareholders, I can do this with peace of mind, but the goal is not to throw money out the window," adds Ferracci, emphasizing that the DNCG has called for "caution in transfers."

The PFC must appear before the French football financial watchdog on June 19 with a budget for Ligue 1 that it will have previously drawn up during a board meeting on May 12, once the Ligue 2 championship has ended.

There are many projects to be completed before Paris FC can challenge Paris SG in a capital derby that everyone dreams of.

"We still have a lot to learn," said the president. "Ligue 1's learning curve isn't just about sport or the media, it's also about business and economics."

Especially since the PFC will have to abandon, at least temporarily, its Charlety stadium in the 13th arrondissement from next year and coexist with the Stade Français rugby team at Jean-Bouin, next to the... Parc des Princes.

Moving near the Park

Ferracci acknowledges that his desire to return to Charléty, brought up to Ligue 1 standards, is "not on the agenda." "And we're very happy to share Jean-Bouin with Stade Français. I hope he stays in the Top 14. It will be easier to offer joint hospitality if they're in the Top 14 and we're in Ligue 1."

At the same time, the PFC must expand its training center located in Orly to increase its size from 8 to 20 hectares and house its two professional teams, men's and women's, as well as its two training centers.

Ambitious but cautious, Pierre Ferracci cites Atalanta Bergamo as an example. "A club that has quietly climbed the ladder and today plays a leading role in Italy without having the budget of the clubs in Milan, Rome, or Turin."

Atalanta won the Europa League in 2024, eight years after the arrival of coach Gianpiero Gasperini, the main architect of the club's evolution. This leaves some time for PFC, for whom it all begins today.