According to an official club communiqué, Red Star FC manager Habib Beye will depart the club after choosing not to extend his contract following promotion to Ligue 2 as champions of France’s third tier. RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins reports that his departure was motivated by uncertainty over the club’s project, as owners 777 Partners become the subject of a major fraud claim in the United States.
Ouest-France reported several days ago that the former Newcastle and Aston Villa defender held talks with Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims, over the vacancy left behind by Will Still’s departure from the club. The Ligue 1 are searching for a new manager after confirming last week that Will Still would be relieved of his duties a year before his contract runs out. The Anglo-Belgian left the club along with his younger brother, deputy coach Nicolas Still.
Beye previously publicly admitted following Red Star’s promotion to Ligue 2 that he wanted to be fighting for promotion to Ligue 1 if he was to stay at the club from the northern suburbs of Paris. The Canal+ commentator only several days ago indicated that he had made his mind up about whether to extend his contract at Red Star or not.
This comes amidst the reports that Red Star’s owners, 777 Partners have had a major fraud claim brought against them by London-based firm Leadenhall Capital Partners. The Miami-based multi-club owners have been accused of allegedly borrowed $350m by pledging assets that it either didn’t own, or didn’t exist. It came as supporters protested their ownership by handing out fake bank notes featuring the face of owner Josh Wander.
Photo Credit: Bazil Fleury
GFFN | George Boxall
