Joseph Oughourlian, president and owner of RC Lens, recently conducted an extensive interview with L’Equipe, discussing the club’s remarkable season in Ligue 1. Lens not only challenged PSG for the title but also clinched their first Coupe de France trophy. Looking ahead, the team will return to the Champions League next season under the guidance of German coach Dino Toppmöller, following Pierre Sage’s departure to Crystal Palace.
Oughourlian revealed that Lens has been approached by a “major” Premier League club regarding a potential multi-club ownership scheme, similar to the arrangement that Chelsea has with Strasbourg. However, the 54-year-old has turned down the offer, expressing that such a partnership would compromise Lens’ identity. “We’re France, World Cup semi-finalists, the country that produces the most players in the world; we should strive for something greater than being the Premier League’s B league.“
Additionally, Oughourlian has been vocal about his discontent with the management of the Ligue de Football Professionnel, Ligue 1’s governing body, and its president, former Marseille executive Vincent Labrune. He criticized the organization, stating, “The league is extremely poorly managed.”
Oughourlian also explained his decision to resign from the LFP board, saying, “I can’t be on a board that rubber-stamps decisions that make absolutely no sense,” referencing the LFP’s controversial move to postpone Lens’ home match against league leaders PSG during a crucial title race. He added, “If you don’t respect yourselves, if you spend your time criticizing your own channel and do nothing for your product, you shouldn’t expect others to value it.”