Despite visible progress, OL remain in financial peril | OneFootball

Olympique Lyonnais’ half-season figures point to a more sustainable operation, yet heavy debt and opaque Textor-era commitments leave the club in serious jeopardy, making a summer takeover essential.

Published on Tuesday, the 2025-26 first-half results show EBE at -2.2 M€, improved from -46.1 M€ a year earlier. Savings after last summer’s near administrative relegation cut the wage bill by about 40%, from 99.2 M€ to 60.4 M€, and turnover rose 3% to 121.3 M€, including 45.3 M€ from player sales. Separately, the club said in a statement it had uncovered financial guarantees granted by former president John Textor, notably benefiting Botafogo, and that related factoring commitments, revealed in December, are now being contested.

Yet the net result fell to -186.5 M€ from -116.9 M€. The loss stems largely from 126.2 M€ of impairments on receivables tied to other Eagle entities.

On the pitch, the stakes are clear between finishing fourth and reaching the podium. A podium would bring Champions League income for Paulo Fonseca’s side, whereas fourth carries uncertainty.

The accounts were prepared on a going concern basis, assuming the arrival of a new shareholder and a financial restructuring plan by June.

Eagle Bidco, the parent holding 88% of OL, was placed under judicial administration in the UK in late March, with administrator Cork Gully running a sale of assets. Current president Michele Kang is among potential bidders and could convert the loan provided for the DNCG appeal in July into equity. US fund Ares, the main lender to John Textor and first creditor, is not set to manage the club in the medium term.

Source: L'Équipe