Most Strasbourg fans thought they had it good from the deal which tied them together with Chelsea. After all, the BlueCo investment has given the French side a team competitive in Ligue 1 and finished top of the Uefa Conference League table last month. There has been a 157m revamp of their Stade de la Meinau home, improving facilities and increasing capacity.
Gary O'Neil has agreed to become Strasbourg's manager after Liam Rosenior left the French club to join sister club Chelsea. O'Neil, 42, has been without a club since he was sacked by Wolves in December 2024. He previously had a year-long spell at Bournemouth in the 2022-23 season, helping the south coast club avoid relegation before being sacked and replaced by Andoni Iraola. His appointment at Strasbourg comes before a Coupe de France tie against third-tier Avranches on Saturday.
Sunderland are reportedly looking to build on their sensational return to the Premier League by securing one of the most productive attackers in Portugal. With the Black Cats currently sitting in the top six, manager Regis Le Bris is keen to add more firepower to his squad during the January window, with Brazilian star Andre Luiz emerging as a top target.
We have big ambitions. We had big ambitions at the FA and we achieved them, so we're excited for this next chapter. We want to be a global organisation that has levels and standards that are through the roof. We looked at the very best. Anja and her skills are incredibly unique. She understands the business side of a football club, but also the performance aspect. She has a proven track record of joining the two together.
Chelsea and Strasbourg are allowed to sell players to each other despite being in the same multi-club ownership portfolio. In June 2023, the Ligue 1 club was bought by BlueCo, a consortium headed by American businessman Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali for 65m. There are significant connections between Chelsea and Strasbourg, who are managed by Englishman Liam Rosenior, with goalkeeper Mike Penders, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr all on loan from Stamford Bridge.
Fenway Sports Group is actively exploring multiple club takeovers, positioning themselves in the multi-club ownership realm for both commercial and sporting opportunities, particularly through enhanced scouting networks.
