« INEOS have been the proud owners of OGC Nice for the last three years. I have always recognised any football owner is only ever a custodian of a club on behalf of current and future generations. Managers and players inevitably pass with time but the love of the fans endures. Ownership is temporary. The club is forever.  And every owner, during the time they have the privilege of looking after a club, carries the responsibility of seeking to strengthen it and to help create lasting memories.  
 
Since taking over OGC Nice, we have learned a lot. We understand even more about the Club’s proud history and its deep connection to the city and the wider region. We know the traditions and values that make OGC Nice so different and special. We have learned more about French football and have enjoyed some success together on the pitch. And we also know how many talented committed and passionate people there are at the club.
 
We have used this close season to reflect and assess where we are as a club as part of our philosophy of continuous improvement at INEOS. The audit carried out by Sir Dave Brailsford has underlined both the growth opportunities and also the areas where we must improve if we want to progress further. 
 
So as we close the first chapter of INEOS ownership after three years and start this new next phase we believe this is the time to raise our ambitions. We need to bring OGC Nice right into the heart of the INEOS sporting family so the Club can learn from other sports and innovate further - and we have plans that are big, bold and different which we will say more about in the coming months. We need to modernise further in every aspect of the club and help make OGC Nice the most progressive, high performance and successful club it can possibly be. And we need a club with a single common purpose and winning mindset from top to bottom - united, ambitious and striving for excellence in every area.
 
We want this to be a club that is known for its style of play and one which we hope can be consistently competitive in France and at European level. And to lead this on the pitch we are very pleased to welcome Lucien Favre back as Head Coach. He is a mature coach, who is respected and admired throughout the game. He has been very successful in the Bundesliga and at OGC Nice. We like the way he wants his teams to play, and it fits to the vision we have at INEOS of the playing style we want for OGC Nice.
 
Sir Dave Brailsford as Director of Sport at INEOS will continue to act for INEOS and myself on a day to day basis and help drive this change agenda across the Club. 
 
As owners at INEOS we are more committed than ever to OGC Nice and this project. We can all see the future potential and we are excited about the challenge ahead. We don’t take your support for granted for a minute and we also know how important it is for everyone at the Club as we enter this next chapter. 
 
In any project change takes time and there can obviously never be any certainty of outcome in sport - after all it’s one of the reasons we all love it. But one thing is certain: with hard work, humility and unity from all of us - owners, staff, players and fans - we will give ourselves the best possible chance of success.  
 
This is a time to be bold. A time to be ambitious. A time to put in the hard work. A time to make sure that the best days lie ahead for this great club.  ISSA NISSA! »

JIM RATCLIFFE

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