Coach selection, academy, transfers: what role does Red Bull really play at Paris FC? | OneFootball

Red Bull’s influence at Paris FC is still taking shape and remains fairly discreet. According to L'Équipe, the Austrian firm joined the Arnault family in the buyout and now owns 10.6%.

Its stake is expected to reach about 15% when Pierre Ferracci hands over his remaining 29.8% at the end of the 2026-2027 season. Oliver Mintzlaff and Mario Gomez sit on the PFC board.

Red Bull also drove the appointment of German Marco Neppe as sporting director last summer.

Beyond that, input has been modest, with support to senior and youth operations. It did not decide the recent coaching change, though it was notified, and Klopp is understood to have sought information on Antoine Kombouaré.

The winter window was led more by Neppe, owner Antoine Arnault and chief executive Jean-Marc Gallot. Young signings Rudy Matondo and Patrick Zabi were not driven by the company, and Zabi had been a Neppe priority.

Deals for former Red Bull players to Lens, Samson Baidoo, Amadou Haidara and Sangaré, and to Le Havre, Gourna-Douath, surprised. Haidara was offered near €10m last summer but joined Lens for €2m this winter, raising synergy questions.

Red Bull is a minority shareholder at Paris, so has less latitude, though described as proactive behind the scenes. Its influence is clearer in development, via a performance coordinator, nutrition input and data support, without overloading youth coaches. The tie-up is being watched, and whether the model can translate in France will take time.

Source: L'Équipe