The surprise comes from a star midfielder, now on the verge of swapping his boots for a president's suit. Ilkay Gündogan, the 33-year-old German, currently without a club after leaving FC Barcelona, is reportedly on the verge of acquiring a Ligue 2 club. According to Onze Mondial, discussions with FC Annecy, a club in severe financial difficulty, are well advanced.

FC Annecy, relegated to National following last season, is going through a turbulent period. Deep in debt and lacking major sponsors, the Savoyard club is desperately seeking a new owner to prevent liquidation. Gündogan, who has always shown his attachment to his German roots and his interest in entrepreneurial projects, could be the savior. The negotiations, conducted in the strictest secrecy, suggest an imminent signing. The midfielder, a 2014 World Cup winner with Germany and a two-time Champions League winner, has not yet officially confirmed the project, but the clues are mounting. If the deal goes through, Gündogan would become one of the rare footballers to take on the management of a club in France. An adventure reminiscent of that of Salah, who transitioned from Premier League pitches to executive responsibilities. FC Annecy, currently playing in National, could thus regain financial stability and sporting ambition under the impetus of a new media-savvy owner. The fans, for their part, hope for an ambitious project capable of restoring the club to its former glory. One thing is certain: if Gündogan takes the plunge, French football will hear more from him. And FC Annecy, for its part, could well write a new chapter in its history.