Lyon-owner John Textor’s appointment of new CEO in Belgium under fire – Textor feels that criticism of Ganaye is unfair
IMAGO | Gauthier Ganaye is the new CEO at RWD Molenbeek, owned by Eagle Football Holdings.
Gauthier Ganaye is the new CEO at RWD Molenbeek, owned by Eagle Football Holdings. The announcement raised eyebrows in Belgium, since Ganaye came from KV Oostende who had just been relegated with club finances in a terrible state too.
Ganaye was also serving as president of Nancy, who have been relegated twice, leaving them in the fourth tier of French football. Fans and the former President are furious. Textor says that fans do not always know the true inside-story behind relegations.
Why it matters: John Textor is labelling himself and Eagle Football Holdings as a very different MCO. Still a new kid on the block in European football with stakes in Crystal Palace, Olympique Lyon and Molenbeek, his key hirings are under scrutiny.
The perspective: On the surface it seems odd that a CEO and president responsible for big declines at two previous clubs is being hired as CEO at yet another club. But were the problems at Oostende and Nancy due primarily to the ownership?
12 June 2023 - 5:09 PM
As recently as two years ago, Gauthier Ganaye was considered one of the rising stars of the football industry.
He had experienced a dizzying ascent in the football industry, holding positions at RC Lens, Barnsley, KV Oostende, and Nancy. But then it all started to go wrong – or did it?
His career began in 2013, at the age of just 25, when he was made head of legal at Ligue 2 side RC Lens, a few years later becoming c
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