Jean-Pierre Rivère is the new Chairman of the OGC Nice Board. The Nice businessman announced it himself on Monday at a press conference at the Gym’s headquarters. After the presentation of the Argentine defender Fabian Monzon (former Boca Juniors), Jean-Pierre Rivère unveiled his ambitions.
A businessman from the French Riviera, Jean-Pierre Rivère became the new majority shareholder (51%) of OGC Nice on Monday morning. However, this does not mean that his predecessor, Gilbert Stellardo, is leaving the Gym. Rivère has promised that the supervisory board – chaired by the former majority shareholder – will be regularly consulted.
The new investor, who injected 10 to 12 million euros into the club’s coffers, expressed ambitious plans for the future while remaining realistic: “For the moment, I have only met the administrative staff. I have seen motivated people. There is, however, a lot of work to be done.”
More resources, more ambition
What about the club’s finances? “On Wednesday, I will meet with the DNCG (National Directorate of Management Control) to discuss a budget increase of 4 million euros.
If it is accepted, we will go from 33 to 37 million next season. This will allow us to consider a more aggressive recruitment campaign and, above all, not be forced to sell our best players (…).”, warns Rivère.
This is a way of announcing a short-term increase in the Gym’s ambitions. The new president declares with conviction: “I do not want to aim for mere survival. For me, it’s essential to target between 8th and 12th places. Aiming for 3rd place, however, is not realistic (sic).”
However, an increase in resources does not necessarily mean a radical change in the sporting situation of the club: “One should not believe that in six months, OGC Nice will have changed its appearance,” stated Jean-Pierre Rivère.
