Saved from liquidation, FC Rouen dare to dream of Ligue 2 | OneFootball

Saved from judicial liquidation in June 2024, FC Rouen top National and face second-placed Dijon on Saturday at 18:00, with promotion to Ligue 2 now openly targeted. As reported by L'Équipe, the club narrowly avoided collapse felt across the city.

Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol has said Rouen came close to dying and that the local economy was on the brink. President Samuel Yasar, in post since November 2025, says they revived the club with liquidation a clear risk.

A corporate lawyer, Yasar arrived in summer 2024 with Turkish owner Tarkan Ser to steady the project and clean up finances, after debts of about €3.5m from the costly era of former president Charles Maarek.

Leadership has been refreshed and roughly 70% of the squad changed. The mood has calmed, finances are viable and Ligue 2 is the stated aim, with Yasar noting that promotion would do immense good and could bring more sponsors despite limited means.

Captain Clément Bassin, the club’s second most-capped player, is due for his 331st appearance on Saturday. The left back joined in 2004 aged nine, has not missed a minute this season and believes a run of 10 wins, five draws and one defeat has made promotion realistic.

Head coach Régis Brouard, appointed in November 2024 to replace Maxime d'Ornano, has been freed from recruitment since sporting coordinator Christophe Chareyre arrived. At 59, he says being leaders means embracing the objective, and that the owner’s instruction from the start was simple, secure promotion and keep winning.

Source: L'Équipe