Bordeaux endured one of the worst seasons they have ever experienced in recent memory, although it was plagued by off-field problems that spilled onto the field. The club was not invested in and ultimately went into administration towards the end of the campaign and, while they survived on the pitch, their future remains uncertain.
It had always promised to be a difficult season, but four points from the first two games offered hope that talented coach Jean-Louis Gasset was capable of performing miracles. It soon became clear he was not.
There were moments of optimism, most notably when Hatem Ben Arfa arrived and briefly sparkled, but he proved more trouble than he was worth as he split the dressing room with his ball-hungry style, and by the end of the campaign he was not featuring at all as Gasset instead started to turn towards the clubs younger players.
Ultimately, three wins in the last four games heaved them out of trouble, but it was a close thing.
Bordeaux can draw few positives from the campaign save the mentality that saw them ultimately saved. Key players such as Toma Basic and Otavio had low-key campaigns in the heart of the field, while in attack they had only one player – Hwang Ui-Jo – who scored more than four gaols in all competitions. It was simply insufficient and even amid the constraints placed upon the team, there was a sense that they should have done better.
Those players draft in, notable Jean Michael Seri, were unable to make an impact, and Bordeaux will simply be happy they got to the end of a very difficult season largely unscathed.
The summer, however, promises to be difficult for Bordeaux, who must find a way to stabilise their finances before improving the squad, which is comprised of either very young players or those beyond their best. It will be a major challenge.
