Lausanne-Sport: A cautionary tale for Man Utd fans of the perils of INEOS ownership
"We made some mistakes in Lausanne," Sir Jim Ratcliffe told fans of INEOS' newest club OGC Nice when the deal to purchase the French side was completed in August 2019. Before turning his attention to Nice, Ratcliffe and INEOS had spent 18 months attempting to play Football Manager with Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, who were fifth in the country's top division when INEOS took over in November 2017. Lausanne president David Thompson spoke of a desire to cement their place in Europe's top com Pet itions when INEOS first arrived, and that ambition seemed feasible. After all, the top four teams of Switzerland's ten-club top flight get a spot in Europe. By the end of the year, Lausanne would be rock bottom and relegated to the second division. As Ratcliffe and INEOS settle into their new homes at Old Trafford, the story of Lausanne-Sport is one Manchester United fans would be wise to familiarise themselves with. The story of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership of Lausa...