Troyes (AFP)

A new era begins in Troyes, back in Ligue 1 where Estac intends to stabilize with at its head a powerful majority shareholder, City Football Group, owner of ten clubs including Manchester City.

The takeover of the Aube club by CFG less than a year ago (September 3, 2020) started smoothly with few visible changes during the first months of life together and a transition without major upheavals, allowing the team for Laurent Batlles to calmly continue his promising start to the season.

The union between the Emirati investment group and the Trojans team was even marked by the title of French Ligue 2 champion. A beautiful gift, unexpected, in the basket of newlyweds.

L'Estac is the tenth club purchased by the CFG holding company, which is thus establishing itself for the first time in France, with its networks, expertise and skills.

The organization chart is now in place and operational.

Briton Simon Cliff, appointed president, but retained in Manchester, has delegated his powers to a young executive president, also managing director of the club, Aymeric Magne.

The sports sector has been entrusted to François Vitali, who previously worked in Lille (L1) and Erick Mombaerts was placed in training.

The management of the club has shown its willingness to build a coherent and solid workforce, "to ensure that the Estac is part of the elite on a long-term basis," explained Aymeric Magne.

- Extended executives, promising recruits -

The main executives, those involved in moving up to L1, have gained loyalty.

Florian Tardieu, Jimmy Giraudon, Yoann Salmier and goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon have seen their contracts extended (2024) and upgraded.

A strong signal, while the Estac has often been obliged in the past to part with its best hopes in order to keep its financial commitments.

This time, Batlles can build from a chosen plinth.

The second priority was to grow stronger, without having to rely on last minute loans to complete the group.

Troyes advanced its first pawns and marked the spirits by attracting Renaud Ripart.

The versatile striker from Nîmes (28 years old, 11 goals last season), was in great demand since the descent of the Crocos in Ligue 2. But it was in Troyes that he chose to bounce back.

"For the sports project," he said, without ruling out the salary issue.

"There are perhaps more resources here than elsewhere ...".

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This is again the seal of the Estac City Group version, which has a comfortable financial base and leeway never seen in the club.

Enough to be able to offer good contracts and play a role in the transfer market.

Before the arrival of the young Brazilian Metinho (18, Fluminense) for 5 million euros, Ripart had been the biggest buy in the history of the club, with 3.3 million euros.

While waiting for "six or seven" new arrivals, hopes the Trojan coach, the Estac has also recruited a second experienced goalkeeper, Jessy Moulin, who comes from Saint-Etienne.

The City Group project also revolves around the development of young international talents.

After the Bulgarian Krastev last year and in addition to Metinho, arrived the Ukrainian Mykola Kukharevitch (18 years old) or the Burkinabé Issa Kaboré (20 years old), on loan from Manchester City.

© 2021 AFP