Victoriano Melero, PSG’s discreet fourth man with ambition | OneFootball

Victoriano Melero, PSG’s general director and president of Foot Unis, works in the shadows behind Nasser al-Khelaïfi, Luis Enrique and Luis Campos. According to L'Équipe, the 56-year-old’s appointment on 8 October 2024 formalised his rise.

From legal roles at TF1 and Clifford Chance, he moved into football as FFF deputy director general and chief of staff to Noël Le Graët from 2013 to 2017. There, he dubbed himself “Victor le nettoyeur”.

Despite the low profile, last season he used an external communications agency that arranged interviews with Le Figaro and Les Échos. He set out a business vision and new stadium project, keeping to his own turf.

He joined PSG in 2017 as secretary general under Jean-Claude Blanc, learning al-Khelaïfi’s habit of dividing sporting and business power. An oft-told episode from an overseas meeting has al-Khelaïfi inviting Melero onto his private jet, with Blanc left to fly commercial.

After Blanc’s exit in January 2023, Melero waited 10 months before being chosen to replace him following a lengthy external search. He installed a close team including Benoît Le Sech, Richard Heaselgrave, Anne Descamps and Grégory Durand, and, with al-Khelaïfi’s backing, became Foot Unis president.

Seen as capable, he embodies for some al-Khelaïfi’s sway over French football, reinforced by him chairing presidents at Foot Unis without being one. He seems to find solutions, from CVC revenue sharing to easing financial fair play, while leading PSG Land and the education city at the Campus, and managing a sometimes complicated relationship with Campos.

Source: L'Équipe