Paris Saint Germain

Formation, split and early successes (1970–1991)

By the late 1960s, Paris lacked a club in the top division of French football. With support from the French Football Federation (FFF), Parisian businessmen Guy Crescent and Pierre-Étienne Guyot founded Paris FC in 1969 and later brought in Henri Patrelle, president of Stade Saint-Germain. The two clubs merged on 12 August 1970 to form Paris Saint-Germain. The club began in Ligue 2 and won the title in its first season, securing promotion to Ligue 1 for 1971–72. The club's early years were affected by financial difficulties and disagreements over its future structure. In 1972, Paris FC and PSG split. Paris FC retained its place in Ligue 1, while PSG was administratively relegated to Division 3 and continued under its existing name. PSG won back-to-back promotions and returned to Ligue 1 in 1974, moving into the Parc des Princes.

During the second half of the 1970s, Daniel Hechter became a driving force behind PSG's development and its establishment in the top flight. He became club president in 1974 and remained in the position until January 1978. Hechter was then replaced by Francis Borelli following the double-ticketing scandal at the Parc des Princes. Under Borelli, PSG won its first major trophies. The club reached its first Coupe de France final in 1982, where it faced Saint-Étienne at the Parc des Princes. After a 2–2 draw following extra time, PSG won the final on penalties to claim its first major trophy. The club retained the Coupe de France the following year by defeating Nantes 3–2 in the final.

PSG continued to develop as a leading French club during the 1980s and featured several notable players, including Jean-Pierre Dogliani, Mustapha Dahleb, Safet Sušić, Luis Fernandez and Dominique Rocheteau. In 1986, under manager Gérard Houllier, the club won its first French championship. PSG finished three points ahead of Nantes and lost only three matches during the season. The championship was followed by a sporting decline and increasing financial difficulties. PSG struggled to maintain its position among the leading French clubs, with declining league performances and growing financial problems affecting the club during the latter part of Borelli's presidency.

First golden era and decline (1991–2011)

Canal+ took control of PSG in 1991, beginning a period of increased investment in the club. Michel Denisot became president, while the new ownership strengthened the squad and appointed prominent coaches. PSG recruited several high-profile players during the 1990s, including Raí, George Weah, David Ginola, Bernard Lama and Valdo. The club won the Coupe de France in 1993, defeating Nantes 3–0 in the final, and won its second French championship in 1994.

PSG also became a regular participant in European competition. In the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League, the club won its group and advanced to the semi-finals, where it was eliminated by AC Milan. In 1996, PSG won its first European trophy by defeating Rapid Wien 1–0 in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final in Brussels, with Bruno Ngotty scoring the only goal. PSG reached the same competition's final again in 1997 but lost 1–0 to Barcelona. The club continued to win domestic trophies during the late 1990s. PSG won the Coupe de la Ligue in 1998 and defeated Lens in the Coupe de France final later that year to complete a domestic cup double.

Despite having notable players such as Jay-Jay Okocha, Ronaldinho and Pauleta, PSG's results became less consistent after the end of the 1990s. Changes in management, sporting directors and ownership were accompanied by a decline in league performances. PSG remained capable of winning domestic trophies, taking the Coupe de France in 2004, 2006 and 2010 and the Coupe de la Ligue in 2008, but spent several seasons outside the upper positions of Ligue 1. The club finished 15th in 2006–07 and 16th in 2007–08, its lowest league finishes during this period. In 2008, Colony Capital became PSG's majority shareholder. The club subsequently improved its league position, finishing sixth in 2008–09, 13th in 2009–10 and fourth in 2010–11. PSG also won the Coupe de France in 2010, defeating Monaco 1–0 after extra time.