Ausselle President Zhou Yunjie: Want to become a big club, the sooner you return to European competitions, the better

May 24th According to the official blog of Auxerre Club, on May 21, local time in France, Chairman Zhou Yunjie, the club's board of directors, reviewed the hardships and gains that the team has gone through. He also publicly revealed that the club's goal of fighting in Europe as its future strategy, which makes people look forward to Aussel's future.

——"We want to be a big club"

Reporter: How do you view this season?

Zhou Yunjie: I am very satisfied, not only because of the achievements of the professional team, but also because of the progress of the youth training center. I have not forgotten the women's football team, and they have been successfully promoted to the French Ligue 2. The whole club is improving and becoming more and more like a family, which is a very good foundation for the future.

Reporter: When you first came, the club experienced several difficult seasons in the French Ligue 2. Now Ausserl is definitely particularly relieved...

Zhou Yunjie: We can get to this point today, not because I have overcome all the difficulties alone. This is the result of a joint effort of the entire club – management, coaching staff, players, staff and fans. I also want to take this opportunity to thank our fans. For a long time, we have experienced failures and made mistakes, but the fans have always been patient and given us unconditional support.

—"If we want to stay in Ligue 1, we need to remain stable."

Reporter: After the game against Nantes, you shared an exciting moment with the fans...

Zhou Yunjie: It was a moment that resonated with the fans, to thank them for their support after my father passed away. This moved me deeply, and I also shed tears at that time, and in this regard, this season seemed particularly special. We have successively lost the President of the Provincial Parliament, Mr. Jean Dero, former Chairman, Gerard Burchoan, and a great supporter, Jean-Mari. Like my father, these people are important to me. We have achieved what we are today this season for them because they have given us spiritual strength.

Reporter: In the current financial difficulties, a capable shareholder is also very important...

Zhou Yunjie: Protecting the club is my mission. But this also forces us to think about how to operate better in the future and invest more wisely, rather than simply increasing investment. For clubs like us, it is crucial to be careful when it comes to budgeting. But this is not a new topic. Five years ago, when we wanted to improve the club infrastructure, we encountered a lot of resistance. If we can get to this point today, it is precisely because some major projects have finally produced fruitful results.

Reporter: What important role has head coach Christopher Pelicier played in his current success?

Zhou Yunjie: The results of last season in Ligue 2 and his performance in Ligue 1 this season have proved the abilities of Christopher Pelicier and his coaching staff. He is a coach who can lead the club further.

Reporter: Three years ago, you mentioned the goal of "returning Ausserl to the European arena", which sounded a bit out of reality at the time. But now the team ranks 11th in Ligue 1, this goal seems to be no longer so crazy...

Zhou Yunjie: (laughs) When you manage a club, you must always set a long-term goal. This goal is not to realize it immediately, but to have a long-term vision. When I first came here, I said it would take five years to enter the Ligue 1. I will never give up on the goal of returning to the European arena.

Reporter: Return to European competitions in five years?

Zhou Yunjie: The earlier the better, because I am 70 years old in five years (laughs).

Reporter: With many main players about to leave the team, this offseason is particularly critical...

Zhou Yunjie: We must respect the players' choices. In the transfer market, we are very clear that we need to make a difference, as multiple core players will leave. Finding a replacement is not easy. Investment in the transfer market cannot guarantee results. Money is not a decisive factor, the key lies in reasonable and clever operation.

—"I think we are moving in a good direction and not taking the wrong path."

Reporter: Based on the abilities shown by Clement Akpa and Kevin Danou this season, can young players represent Aussel's future?

Zhou Yunjie: If we want to go further and climb higher, we need these young players who can grow rapidly. For clubs like Ausselle, youth training is the fundamental point of wanting to gain a foothold in Ligue 1.

Reporter: What other areas do the club need to be improved?

Zhou Yunjie: The results of this season do not mean that the same success can be replicated next season. This will be a whole new challenge and very difficult. I often say that Ausselle wants to become a real Ligue 1 club. It is easy to say, but difficult to implement, and every detail is crucial. Aussel is a small city, but we want to be a big club. When our game is broadcasted on TV, the camera aims at the main stands will make the audience feel that Ausser is a small club. We need to expand the stadium and enhance the club's image to attract more big sponsors. I am very much looking forward to starting these projects as soon as possible.

Reporter: Finally, how important is Ausserl's outstanding performance in Ligue 1 this season to your planning for the club?

Zhou Yunjie: I have a feeling that we are walking in the right direction and not taking the wrong path. Although I encountered a lot of difficulties (laughs). The fans are always there, and that's very important. Ausselle is lucky to have the best fans in France. Without them, all Aussel's past achievements would not have been possible, and the same is true for the future.