Agency Report –
Berlin – Former Germany and FC Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said on Monday he will not pursue a takeover of struggling French club Girondins Bordeaux.
Kahn had teamed up with a group of investors to submit a formal offer in January to acquire the former French heavyweight.
However, after what he described as “intensive discussions and considerations,” the 55-year-old announced on LinkedIn that he is stepping away from the investment plans.
“After reviewing the financial, operational, and legal information finally shared with us at the end of last week, we have chosen not to commit approximately €50 million [$57 million] as outlined in our plan to bring FCGB back to where it belongs – Ligue 1,” Kahn wrote.
The former top club with former top players including Zinédine Zidane, Alain Giresse and later Bayern player Bixente Lizarazu was declared insolvent last summer and now competes in France’s fourth-tier division.
The club is reportedly burdened with debts exceeding €100 million ($114 million).
Kahn, who was in goal when Bayern defeated Bordeaux in the 1996 UEFA Cup final, has not returned to a football role since stepping down as Bayern CEO in 2023.
Last year, he had signalled interest in football club investing, telling football magazine Kicker at the time: “Investing in football is different to investing in a screw manufacturer. Football is about culture, identity and community. If everything fits I can imagine it very well.”
