British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance on Wednesday night as OGC Nice faced off against Roma in their Europa League opener, and his mood matched the result.
The 72-year-old co-owner of Manchester United and owner of both Nice and Swiss side Lausanne-Sport looked visibly glum as Roma secured a 2-1 victory at the Allianz Riviera.
A Mixed Record With French Football
Ratcliffe has owned Nice since INEOS completed the takeover in August 2019, but the journey has been far from smooth.
The club’s highest finish in Ligue 1 during his tenure has been fourth, and their best European performance was reaching the Conference League quarter-finals in the 2023-24 season.
Despite his wealth and experience, success on the pitch has been elusive, and Ratcliffe’s rare appearances at matches have often drawn scrutiny.
Wednesday’s Match Highlights
The game remained tightly contested until the second half when Roma’s Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini scored to put the Italians ahead.
Terem Moffi pulled one back for Nice, but it wasn’t enough to secure a draw.
Cameras frequently caught Ratcliffe in the crowd, looking unimpressed as the match progressed.
Past Criticism of Nice and French Football
Ratcliffe hasn’t shied away from critiquing his own club. Earlier this year, he admitted to making mistakes with Nice and commented on the overall level of French football.
“I don’t particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players, but the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited,” he said, drawing frustration from manager Franck Haise.
Haise pushed back at the comments, clarifying that Ratcliffe’s opinions were based on limited observations.
“He hasn’t seen a Nice match this season,” Haise said. “We are here to make the club progress in order to be even better.
It’s not that serious; we have to keep working and enjoying ourselves.”
The Current Squad
Nice currently sits 12th in Ligue 1, boasting notable names like former Premier League stars Jeremie Boga, Tanguy Ndombele, and Morgan Sanson. Ratcliffe’s candid reflections on past mistakes extend to both Nice and Lausanne, which INEOS bought in 2017.
He acknowledged, “We’ve made some really stupid decisions in both those clubs.
There are a lot of organisations in the world where, if you make a mistake, you get shot… but at INEOS, we don’t mind people making mistakes—just don’t make it twice.”
Involvement With Manchester United
Ratcliffe has faced similar scrutiny at Manchester United since becoming part-owner in February 2024.
He has implemented strict cost-cutting measures, while on-pitch performances have yet to show significant improvement.
Still, he remains hands-on, recently flying in for talks with under-pressure head coach Ruben Amorim after a tough start to the season.
Looking Ahead
With Europa League challenges underway and domestic struggles continuing, Ratcliffe’s approach remains focused on accountability and efficiency.
While results have been mixed, his involvement underscores a commitment to shaping both Nice and Manchester United for long-term success, even if it comes with occasional public criticism and a visible grimace in the stands.