In the most high-profile move in the world of French football executives for a decade, PSG CEO Jean-Claude Blanc will be leaving the Ligue 1 leaders to become CEO of INEOS Sport, starting in February 2023.
Blanc will be in charge of overseeing the entire INEOS Sport portfolio, which includes Football, Formula 1, Sailing, Cycling, Rugby and Running. Blanc’s focus will be in developing INEOS’ existing investments in the Mercedes F1 team, OGC Nice, FC Lausanne-Sport, Racing Club d’Abidjan, the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team and the organisation’s sponsorship of the British Challenge for the 37th America’s Cup, the All Blacks rugby team and the Eliud Kipchoge running team.
Owner and founder of INEOS, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had the following to say on the move:
“I am delighted to welcome Jean-Claude as CEO of INEOS Sport with his many years of experience across different sports. We have high ambitions for all our sports teams with a particular ambition to raise our standards in football and Jean-Claude will bring an entrepreneurial and innovative flair to all our teams.”
Jean-Claude Blanc had the following to say:
“I am very honoured and proud to join Jim Ratcliffe and his impressive INEOS executive team. I am looking forward to helping to build and further develop all existing sport executive teams to even greater success.”
Blanc has a wealth of sports management experience, including being CEO of Juventus between 2009 and 2011, before taking the same role under the then new Qatari ownership of PSG, in a position that he has been in for 12 years.
PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi had the following to say on Blanc’s exit:
“We sincerely thank Jean-Claude for his fantastic contributions to the history and success of Paris Saint-Germain over so many years. The Club has developed enormously during this time. We are now perfectly positioned to take the Club to the next level which will be delivered by the new management team to be announced in due course. We wish Jean-Claude every possible success for his next professional challenge next year. He leaves with our gratitude, and will always remain part of our family.”
James Thorpe | GFFN