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French \u00a0football\u00a0 is unfortunately all too familiar with turmoil each summer. Administrative \u00a0relegations\u00a0 and various legal disputes often lead to significant disruptions in championship \u00a0calendars\u00a0. The ongoing crisis over \u00a0TV rights\u00a0 amplifies these challenges, as highlighted by the case of \u00a0Olympique Lyonnais\u00a0, which found itself relegated to \u00a0Ligue 2\u00a0 before experiencing a last-minute reprieve. In stark contrast, \u00a0AC Ajaccio\u00a0 did not escape the fallout, facing administrative demotion by the \u00a0DNCG\u00a0 and the looming threat of \u00a0bankruptcy\u00a0, potentially pushing them into the \u00a0amateur levels\u00a0. This tumultuous narrative, however, has paved the way for sides like \u00a0Boulogne\u00a0, who, after a 13-year absence, have returned to Ligue 2.<\/p>\n
<p>The \u00a0Pas-de-Calais\u00a0 club had prepared for a third-tier campaign amidst uncertainty, alongside many teams like \u00a0Saint-\u00c9tienne\u00a0, \u00a0Montpellier\u00a0, \u00a0Laval\u00a0, and \u00a0Guingamp\u00a0 that are facing their own challenges. \u201c<em>We take it in a very positive way<\/em>,\u201d smiles \u00a0Vincent Boutillier\u00a0, the President of \u00a0Boulogne\u00a0. Speaking to \u00a0RMC\u00a0, he added, \u201c<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>\u201d<\/p>\n\n<h3>Boutillier: \u201c<em>We have had a lot of calls (from agents) in recent hours<\/em>\u201d<\/h3>\n\n<p>Boulogne anticipated the possibility of promotion despite the \u00a0uncertainties\u00a0 surrounding it. \u201c<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>,\u201d 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 \u00a0opening day\u00a0 against \u00a0Bastia\u00a0, which has been postponed. They will, however, kick off their first travel next week against \u00a0Nancy\u00a0.<\/p>\n\n<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 \u00a0roster\u00a0 capable of competing at the top of the table. Players like \u00a0Noah Fatar\u00a0, signed from \u00a0Sochaux\u00a0, and other young talents from \u00a0National 2\u00a0 who had excelled were brought into the fold. This includes the likes of \u00a0Amine El Farissi\u00a0 (from \u00a0Hy\u00e8res\u00a0), \u00a0Louis Siliadin\u00a0 (from \u00a0Rumilly\u00a0), and \u00a0Nolan Binet\u00a0 (from \u00a0Istres\u00a0). Additionally, they also welcomed talent from training centers, such as \u00a0Aur\u00e9lien Platret\u00a0 (from \u00a0Monaco\u00a0) and \u00a0Mpembele Boula\u00a0 (from \u00a0Lorient\u00a0). \u201c<em>Our squad was nearly complete, but we received numerous calls from agents in recent hours<\/em>,\u201d stated Boutillier.<\/p>\n\n<h3>The best players left for L2 competitors<\/h3>\n\n<p>\u201c<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>,\u201d recognizes Boutillier. \u201c<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>\u201d Pre-season matches back up this assertion, with Boulogne drawing with \u00a0Lens\u00a0 and \u00a0Amiens\u00a0 (2-2 each), narrowly losing to \u00a0Reims\u00a0 (1-0), and decisively beating local rivals \u00a0Dunkerquois\u00a0 (5-1), indicating promising signs for Coach \u00a0Fabien Dagneaux\u00a0.<\/p>\n\n<p>Nevertheless, the \u00a0C\u00f4te d'Opale\u00a0 club has seen some of its best players leave during the summer, scouting opportunities at the upper tiers of football. \u00a0Teddy Avrier\u00a0 signed with \u00a0Amiens\u00a0, while \u00a0Thibault Rambaud\u00a0 and \u00a0Abdel Hbouch\u00a0 moved to \u00a0Annecy\u00a0. In a similar move, \u00a0Th\u00e9o Epailly\u00a0 is exploring opportunities in the Belgian top division with \u00a0La Louvi\u00e8re\u00a0. The 'best player of the season', \u00a0Jean Vercruysse\u00a0, made his way to \u00a0Le Mans\u00a0, 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>\n\n<h3>A budget of \u20ac6 to \u20ac7 million without TV rights<\/h3>\n\n<p>\u201c<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 \u20ac6 to \u20ac7 million, without budget allocations from TV rights. We approached the situation assuming TV rights would not be factored into our budget<\/em>,\u201d explains the 47-year-old leader, whose management style has garnered praise since his takeover in December 2022. \u201c<em>We have fostered prudent management at the club, which has allowed us to remain profitable.<\/em>\u201d Boutillier took over a club in \u00a0N2\u00a0 and has since overseen two successive promotions. The club's trajectory indeed allows for dreaming big.<\/p><\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\nDespite the undeniable challenges ahead, the spirit at Boulogne<\/strong> remains optimistic. As they prepare to tackle the responsibilities of Ligue 2, the upcoming season promises to be both thrilling and demanding for this ambitious club. Their recent triumphs, combined with a wise management approach, signal a hopeful journey forward.<\/p>\n