Jean-François Paturaud on Le Sites, the French rugby website, says that Pierre Raschi, the club's manager, is likely to take over "the reins of the team".

Martinet has been the club's president for more than ten years - the whole of the professional era in fact. He told Bourgoin supporters on Monday: "I will put my hand to the pocket at the end of the season but it will be the last time, because I will not put my company [Martinet SA] at risk and I must preserve my personal inheritance. It would be ideal if a new shareholder would come forward. If that were the case, I'd be ready to give up over 50% of the shareholding and thus the presidency."

At the start of htis season Martinet put into the club €1,5 million (GB£1 million, US$2 million).

Changes would also be likely in the actual running of the team. Coaches Christophe Urios and Guy Tourlonias come to the end of their contracts. Raschi, a former No.8 and captain of Bourgoin, Martinet said, is better suited to playing activities than acting as the club's general manager. "He works hard but his attributes are sporting rather than commercial," Martinet said.  All of this suggests that Raschi could well be coaching the side soon.