Ratcliffe puts Swiss club up for sale amid Man United turmoil

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS has reportedly put Swiss Super League club Lausanne-Sport up for sale, adding to the group’s efforts to offload football investments amid mounting pressure over Manchester United’s struggles.

According to The Athletic, INEOS has appointed global consultancy firm Alvarez & Marsal to oversee the sale and circulated a five-page prospectus, titled “Project Striker”, to prospective buyers.

The move comes as the British billionaire’s company continues its efforts to sell French club OGC Nice, which it has been trying to offload since last year.

INEOS acquired Lausanne-Sport in November 2017, making the Swiss club one of the first major investments in Ratcliffe’s sporting portfolio. However, the club has experienced mixed results under its ownership and currently sits at the bottom of the 12-team Swiss Super League.

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The sales prospectus reportedly describes Lausanne-Sport as an “established top-flight contender” and highlights its potential to qualify for European competitions.

That assessment comes despite the club’s inconsistent record under INEOS. Lausanne have suffered relegations and promotions over the past decade and have qualified for European competition only once during the company’s ownership.

The proposed sale also comes at a difficult time for Manchester United, where Ratcliffe’s minority investment and control of football operations have come under increasing scrutiny.

United are enduring another disappointing campaign after suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, leaving them 16th in the Premier League with seven points from eight matches.

The club’s poor form has intensified pressure on head coach Michael Carrick, with United’s leadership reportedly discussing his future following the latest setback.

The defeat also prompted frustrated supporters at Old Trafford to direct protests at the club’s ownership, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the team’s performances and the direction of its football operations.

Ratcliffe acquired an initial 27.7 per cent stake in Manchester United in 2024 through INEOS, with the Glazer family retaining majority ownership. The investment gave his company responsibility for the club’s football operations, including recruitment and sporting strategy.

Since taking control, INEOS has implemented extensive restructuring measures, including workforce reductions, changes to senior management and investment in training facilities. However, the club’s continuing difficulties have raised questions about whether the changes are delivering the expected results.

INEOS’s wider sporting portfolio has also faced challenges. The company has struggled to find a buyer for Nice despite reportedly reducing its asking price, while its broader sporting investments have come under pressure as it seeks to control costs.

The group’s financial position adds another dimension to the sale plans. Its total debt has reportedly risen to approximately £18 billion, although selling Lausanne-Sport alone would be unlikely to make a substantial difference to that figure.

Ratcliffe has previously emphasised the need to improve the performance of INEOS businesses through cost control and more disciplined spending.

“We need to get our businesses in the best shape that we can, which means low cost; we have to reduce our capex; we have to spend every pound carefully and manage our businesses well,” he said.

The proposed sale of Lausanne-Sport signals a possible retrenchment from INEOS’s wider sporting ambitions as the company reassesses its investments. However, there has been no indication that the move represents a decision to sell its stake in Manchester United.