Paris FC Parts Ways with Sporting Director françois Ferracci; Marco Neppe and Quentin Rauzier Set to Lead
Paris FC’s sporting director, François Ferracci, has officially stepped down from his role, marking the end of an impactful tenure with the club. His final match in charge was the 2-1 victory against Brest on September 14th, where he reunited with former Paris FC U18 teammate Kenny Lala. Ferracci was notably absent from the team’s recent 3-2 loss to Strasbourg at the Jean-Bouin stadium on Sunday.
Sources confirm that Ferracci informed the players of his departure before Wednesday’s training session, delivering a heartfelt speech that visibly moved some of the squad. Having been instrumental in recruiting the majority of the current Paris FC roster, ferracci had cultivated strong relationships with manny players, serving as a crucial daily liaison between the coaching staff and the locker room.
A former player himself and an agent who previously managed talents like Sébastien Haller, Ferracci took the helm as sporting director in the summer of 2023. During his time, his recruitment strategies proved highly successful, laying the groundwork for the team’s promotion to Ligue 1 last May. Despite initial skepticism from some within the football community regarding his appointment, Ferracci, son of President Pierre Ferracci, demonstrably proved his capabilities, leaving the club with a commendable track record.
The arrival of German advisor Marco Neppe in late July, a figure with ties to the Red Bull network, reportedly highlighted some strategic differences, notably concerning recruitment targets such as Hamari Traoré and a key attacker.
While the club’s internal desire was for Neppe and Ferracci to collaborate long-term, the practicalities of having “two sporting directors” proved challenging. Consequently, Ferracci and the club’s shareholders mutually agreed to a separation, which will be finalized in the coming days pending legal procedures.
Quentin Rauzier Steps Up
During a meeting at Orly on Wednesday, owner Antoine Arnault and President pierre Ferracci also confirmed the arrival of Marco Neppe. His exact title is still being determined, with possibilities including technical director, football director, or sporting director. Neppe, who does not speak French, will be supported by quentin Rauzier, the current deputy sporting director. Rauzier, a former player for paris FC and a decade-long employee, is well-positioned to bridge any dialog gaps.
Rauzier’s responsibilities are expected to expand significantly. His established relationships over the past year with Red Bull, including connections with Jürgen Klopp (World Director of Football at Red Bull) and Mario Gomez (technical director), are seen as invaluable assets in forming this new leadership duo with Neppe, who is not expected to be a permanent fixture at the club.
