How Boulogne is gearing up for an immediate return to Ligue 2.

French  football  is unfortunately all too familiar with turmoil each summer. Administrative  relegations  and various legal disputes often lead to significant disruptions in championship  calendars . The ongoing crisis over  TV rights  amplifies these challenges, as highlighted by the case of  Olympique Lyonnais , which found itself relegated to  Ligue 2  before experiencing a last-minute reprieve. In stark contrast,  AC Ajaccio  did not escape the fallout, facing administrative demotion by the  DNCG  and the looming threat of  bankruptcy , potentially pushing them into the  amateur levels . This tumultuous narrative, however, has paved the way for sides like  Boulogne , who, after a 13-year absence, have returned to Ligue 2.

<p>The  Pas-de-Calais  club had prepared for a third-tier campaign amidst uncertainty, alongside many teams like  Saint-Étienne ,  Montpellier ,  Laval , and  Guingamp  that are facing their own challenges. “<em>We take it in a very positive way</em>,” smiles  Vincent Boutillier , the President of  Boulogne . Speaking to  RMC , he added, “<em>We come back from N2; the path is long. Now it requires an organization because we knew it late (on Wednesday). We were in communication with the League and the Federation to try and understand how things progressed. Even though we had no certainty, we had prepared ourselves to evolve in Ligue 2. Luckily, we fell on the right side of things.</em>”</p>

<h3>Boutillier: “<em>We have had a lot of calls (from agents) in recent hours</em>”</h3>

<p>Boulogne anticipated the possibility of promotion despite the  uncertainties  surrounding it. “<em>Thanks to our performance, we were well-placed. This third-place finish opened a recovery opportunity for us. We calculated this scenario. On the field, we proved our legitimacy and managed the administrative side to facilitate our progression</em>,” continues Boutillier, reflecting on a few anxious moments due to the slow pace of administrative procedures. Unfortunately, the club will not play their match on the  opening day  against  Bastia , which has been postponed. They will, however, kick off their first travel next week against  Nancy .</p>

<p>In light of the various challenges stemming from this situation, the management worked diligently to maintain a stable environment within the club. Although they were preparing for the National league, they built a  roster  capable of competing at the top of the table. Players like  Noah Fatar , signed from  Sochaux , and other young talents from  National 2  who had excelled were brought into the fold. This includes the likes of  Amine El Farissi  (from  Hyères ),  Louis Siliadin  (from  Rumilly ), and  Nolan Binet  (from  Istres ). Additionally, they also welcomed talent from training centers, such as  Aurélien Platret  (from  Monaco ) and  Mpembele Boula  (from  Lorient ). “<em>Our squad was nearly complete, but we received numerous calls from agents in recent hours</em>,” stated Boutillier.</p>

<h3>The best players left for L2 competitors</h3>

<p>“<em>We will not move or make minimal changes since we built a squad aimed at being ambitious in National, and it is capable of competing with a Ligue 2 team. We saw it in the playoffs. It was a difficult experience</em>,” recognizes Boutillier. “<em>We competed well and are looking to reproduce that success. We have players with potential. I want to test them at Ligue 2 and see where their ceilings are.</em>” Pre-season matches back up this assertion, with Boulogne drawing with  Lens  and  Amiens  (2-2 each), narrowly losing to  Reims  (1-0), and decisively beating local rivals  Dunkerquois  (5-1), indicating promising signs for Coach  Fabien Dagneaux .</p>

<p>Nevertheless, the  Côte d'Opale  club has seen some of its best players leave during the summer, scouting opportunities at the upper tiers of football.  Teddy Avrier  signed with  Amiens , while  Thibault Rambaud  and  Abdel Hbouch  moved to  Annecy . In a similar move,  Théo Epailly  is exploring opportunities in the Belgian top division with  La Louvière . The 'best player of the season',  Jean Vercruysse , made his way to  Le Mans , another club that was promoted to Ligue 2 on the pitch. A multitude of elements that could have remained at Boulogne, had the club been aware of its earlier promotion, have now bolstered direct competitors for remaining in Ligue 2.</p>

<h3>A budget of €6 to €7 million without TV rights</h3>

<p>“<em>We were prepared for the Ligue 2 budget since we were competing at the top for a large part of the year. However, uncertainty hindered us from finalizing this budget as we initially wanted. We will have one of the smallest budgets in Ligue 2, around €6 to €7 million, without budget allocations from TV rights. We approached the situation assuming TV rights would not be factored into our budget</em>,” explains the 47-year-old leader, whose management style has garnered praise since his takeover in December 2022. “<em>We have fostered prudent management at the club, which has allowed us to remain profitable.</em>” Boutillier took over a club in  N2  and has since overseen two successive promotions. The club's trajectory indeed allows for dreaming big.</p>