Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS has put Swiss club Lausanne-Sport up for sale, signalling a further retreat from its sporting investments while Manchester United continue to struggle.
According to The Athletic, the British billionaire’s company has appointed global consultancy firm Alvarez & Marsal to oversee the sale of the Swiss Super League outfit.
The firm has circulated a five-page prospectus, titled “Project Striker”, to potential investors as INEOS seeks to end its nine-year ownership of Lausanne.
Ratcliffe’s company purchased the club in November 2017, initially viewing the investment as an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with the Swiss city.
However, Lausanne subsequently became part of INEOS’s expanding sporting portfolio, which eventually included French club Nice and a significant stake in Manchester United.
The latest development follows INEOS’s decision to explore a sale of Nice, alongside its withdrawal from several high-profile sporting partnerships.
Lausanne’s financial position could complicate negotiations, with the club reportedly facing annual losses approaching £5 million this season.
The Swiss outfit also sit bottom of their domestic league, raising the possibility of another relegation under INEOS ownership.
Despite those difficulties, the sales prospectus highlights opportunities for European qualification and the club’s relatively inexpensive infrastructure arrangements.
INEOS will hope to attract investors more quickly than at Nice, where attempts to secure a buyer have reportedly encountered difficulties.
The decision comes during another turbulent period at Manchester United, where Ratcliffe’s minority investment has failed to produce the anticipated sporting transformation.
United suffered a damaging home defeat against Bournemouth on Sunday, leaving Michael Carrick’s team 16th in the Premier League with seven points from eight matches.
The Red Devils have also exited the Carabao Cup and lost two of their opening three Champions League fixtures.
Those results have intensified scrutiny of Carrick, who was appointed permanently just five months ago.
Ratcliffe acquired an initial 27.7% stake in United in 2023, subsequently increasing his holding to almost 29% while retaining responsibility for football operations.
His tenure has involved extensive restructuring, including workforce reductions, changes to senior management and investment in training facilities.
However, the club’s continued struggles have raised questions about the effectiveness of INEOS’s approach.
The wider company is also facing financial pressure, with its total debt reportedly reaching approximately £18 billion.
Although selling Lausanne would have a limited impact on those liabilities, the move reinforces INEOS’s apparent shift away from its ambitious multi-sport expansion.
For United supporters, the development provides another reminder of the challenges facing Ratcliffe’s sporting operations as the club searches for stability.
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