After coming very close to going into liquidation at the end of last year, the club will finally go back to National 3 this season (2022-2023). Stephane Paganelli, former physical trainer of Montpellier and AC Ajaccio will be the head coach. Robert Bonardia “red and blue”, will be his deputy and technical and sports director. Jerome Lemoignea young retiree since 2018 and already at the club last season, has been appointed sports coordinator.
In the longer term, a large-scale project was presented this Thursday, July 14 to the press by Johann Carta. The businessman is the new president of the Gazelec Ajaccio, and as much on the substance as on the form, the presentation is sharp.
The challenge: to return to Ligue 2 within five years. Downgraded in 2021 to the fifth division (National 3), the mythical Ajaccien club has just had the last 4 very tough seasons, both sportingly and humanly. But yet the GFC Ajaccio has the means of its ambitions, assures the new president.
Family spirit always, under conditions now
“I want the GFCA to be a benchmark at the social, educational and sporting levels. The GFCA must be a major player in social inclusion”, lists this professional restorer. He says he is ready to get personally involved so that the club regains its splendor in all sectors, but also that the stadium of Mezzavia regains its festive spirit and even “that the opposing teams are afraid”. However, the entrepreneur sets his conditions in terms of setting an example.
“Yes I want the atmosphere yes I want the party, but on the other hand, I don’t want the opposing teams to be afraid, the club being penalized”warns Johann Carta. The penalty will be “radical” : “These people will be banned for life from the stadium”. A “house” rate that will apply to anyone in the club or around will fail to respect the obligations of institutions and its components. The stated goal is to make the stadium serene, for everyone.
Without revealing everything (the budget will be communicated later as well as the complete organization chart) the new president already sees far for the legendary Ajaccien club, despite many difficulties. The stadium must also be the subject of preliminary studies on its foundations, announced the new president. The goal is to completely renovate it. In the meantime, the price of subscriptions is set at €10, and the price of the ticket at €1. “Everything will be donated to associations”even specifies Johann Carta, who invokes the dignity of the reception conditions which for him is also to be found.