Lorient owner Bill Foley sets ambitious European objective | OneFootball

Black Knight Football Club (BKFC), the owners of AFC Bournemouth, became the sole shareholder of FC Lorient earlier this season. In an interview with L’Équipe, Bill Foley has now announced an ambitious objective. 

Even despite Sunday night’s 2-0 loss to Olympique Lyonnais, Lorient are far exceeding expectations in Ligue 1 this season. Following their promotion from Ligue 2 last season, they were one of the favourites for an immediate return to the second division. However, with just five league games remaining, Lorient are currently ninth. There is no threat of relegation.

Foley looks to make Lorient a ‘serious contender’ in Ligue 1

However, there will be changes over the summer. Olivier Pantaloni will leave and there will be a reshuffle within the hierarchy. The Breton club are now looking to push on, as Foley has now told L’Équipe. Rather than looking over their shoulder, he believes that Les Merlus should be looking up the table.

Asked about the implications of BKFC’s full takeover, Foley responded: “It allows us to be a bit more aggressive to go after the objective that has always been European football. I don’t know if that will be the Champions League. It is a very ambitious goal, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t be in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League. I’m not satisfied with playing a supporting role, my aspirations are high,” said the American. 

He added, “We will play in Europe and we will make the necessary investment to make Lorient a serious actor in Ligue 1 […] why can’t we beat everyone?”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle