Paris FC have abandoned their long-term strategy for a young, locally sourced squad as relegation panic grips the club. Stéphane Gilli has been replaced by Antoine Kombouaré, a manager known for firefighting roles at Nantes, after a run of poor results.
The club’s new owners, the Arnault family, had backed Gilli following promotion, but with only one win in 11 games and a six-point gap to the relegation playoff spot, they opted for change. Kombouaré’s appointment signals a focus on immediate survival rather than the grand project initially envisioned.
Senior players like Moses Simon, Hamari Traoré and Pierre Lees-Melou have underperformed, while new recruits such as Ciro Immobile (aged 36) have yet to score. January loanees Marshall Munetsi, Diego Coppola and Luca Koleosho reflect a shift toward short-term fixes.
Red Bull, who hold a minority stake set to rise to 15%, have seen their influence limited. Sporting director Marco Neppe, a Red Bull pick, is scouting youth talent, but the club’s immediate needs have taken precedence. The question remains when the original vision—exploiting the rich talent pool of Île-de-France—can be revived.
