Explosion at La Beaujoire. While FC Nantes has just suffered two defeats in football, the separation from its coach Ahmed Kantari looms. Arriving on December 11 to succeed Luis Castro, the Moroccan technician has only managed six matches. Yet, the momentum has shifted: a strong start in the Cup, a standout performance in Marseille, then a sharp fall in the standings. The club management is considering an accelerated dismissal, a sign of a new transition in an already tense environment.
The scene is set, and the stakes are immediate. After the slap against Nice (1-4) and the home defeat against Paris FC (1-2), Nantes is 16th, only two points above Auxerre and Metz. According to information relayed by Emmanuel Merceron, Waldemar Kita wants to turn the page. The only bright spot, Kantari should still lead the team Saturday at Lorient, a knockout match that will probably seal his future. In this duel, the question is no longer if there will be a change, but when and how it will be carried out.
FC Nantes: why the separation from the coach is approaching
The heart of the matter is clear. The club has evaluated the performance since Ahmed Kantari took office and no longer sees any safeguards. The tactical balance is wavering, confidence is fading, and defensive organization cracks at the first opponent’s transition. In this context, the option of a quick dismissal is gaining ground.
The timing weighs heavily. Defeated at Angers (4-1) on his debut, Kantari then recorded a spectacular Cup victory against Concarneau (5-3), followed by a stunning “hold-up” at OM (0-2). But the streak reversed: elimination on penalties by Nice in the Cup and two consecutive losses in Ligue 1. This downward spiral fuels the idea of an imminent separation before the relegation zone catches up with the Canaries.
Express chronology: contrasting beginnings to the red zone
The story of the six matches unfolds in a few acts. After Angers, Nantes bounced back in the Cup at Concarneau, then struck hard at the Vélodrome. Next, the elimination by Nice on penalties acts as a psychological turning point. The engine stalls, and the Canaries suffer defeats against Paris FC then Nice in the league.
On the pitch, the team alternates high pressing and mid-block without finding stability. The buildup remains fragmented, the center suffers behind the midfield, and the wings lack aggressiveness in recovery. At this pace, every match becomes a lost battle of attrition before time.
The break in rhythm between the Marseille euphoria and the slap in Nice illustrates a mental fragility. Without immediate recalibration, the locker room’s trajectory continues to decline.
Management, structural problems, and repetition of breaks
The recent history of FC Nantes resonates as a warning. The cycles succeed one another: Antoine Kombouaré had already left the bench before the Luis Castro episode, then the appointment of Ahmed Kantari. This pattern questions the overall management, from governance to the link between pros and the N3 group, already pointed out during a fragmented preseason.
The decision-making power is also evolving. According to insiders, Waldemar Kita wants to decide, but no longer does so alone. This internal redistribution delays the final decision and creates a gray area. Meanwhile, the team lives in uncertainty, complicating the sporting and mental transition.
To clarify priorities in this burning issue, here are the identified levers.
- Staff stability in the short term to secure the locker room.
- Unified sporting line: recruitment, captaincy, hierarchy of positions.
- Clear communication between management and players to reduce noise.
- Managed transition in case of dismissal with a structured interim.
- Defensive performance priority: reducing xGA and individual errors.
Without a coherent heading, any decision risks being just a band-aid on a fracture.
Sporting impact: performance, standings, and momentum
The present is written on the scoreboard. Nantes is 16th, with 2 points ahead of the play-offs and 6 points behind Le Havre (15th). The emotional differential is intense: the shockwave from Marseille gave way to growing distrust.
The results under Ahmed Kantari offer a useful prism to measure the slope. This summary highlights psychological shifts and direct consequences in the standings.
| Match | Competition | Opponent | Score | Location | Effect on momentum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut | Ligue 1 | Angers | 1-4 | Away | Defensive fragility exposed |
| Recovery | French Cup | Concarneau | 5-3 | Away | Confidence regained, attack unleashed |
| Exploit | Ligue 1 | OM | 2-0 | Away | Effective low block, clinical realism |
| Setback | French Cup | Nice | Penalties: elimination | Neutral | Mental shock after fatal shootout |
| Weak signal | Ligue 1 | Paris FC | 1-2 | Home | Growing concern at La Beaujoire |
| Defeat too many | Ligue 1 | Nice | 1-4 | Home | Coach’s position weakened |
The sequence is clear: variation of game plan, athletic drop after the hour mark, and lack of in-game adjustments. In a struggle for survival, these details cost points.
The snapshot of the moment demands a swift response, with or without a change on the bench.
Scenarios and schedule: the trip to Lorient as a turning point
The road leads to Lorient, and the line is thin. In case of success, the club would gain time to readjust tactical choices and restore confidence. In case of a draw, the debate would remain open. In case of defeat, the decision could follow quickly with a dismissal and a swift interim.
What paths are available to the management? Three options stand out, each with distinct sporting and financial implications. Each requires clear communication to avoid further fracturing the locker room.
- Short-term survival with quantified objectives (points over 3 matches, xGA below a threshold).
- Internal interim to stabilize, while waiting for an external profile aligned with the sporting policy.
- Immediate recruitment of a confirmed coach, higher cost but strong message about ambition.
The forthcoming decision will say everything about the hierarchy of priorities: sporting urgency or long-term vision.
A transition turn for the club
Beyond Saturday’s match, the Kantari episode fits into a broader storyline: that of a FC Nantes seeking alignment between ideas and actions. Management will stake its credibility on the coherence of the decision-making chain and the clarity of the project. The field, meanwhile, will demand simple benchmarks, clear roles, and sustainable intensity.
The next page remains to be written, but the ink is already on the pen. Whether it consecrates the separation or a swift revival, it will set the tone for the end of the season and the compass for the rebuild.
Why is FC Nantes considering parting ways with Ahmed Kantari?
The series of unfavorable results, the drop to 16th place, and a faltering performance trend are pushing the club to consider a dismissal. Management wants to avoid being stuck in the relegation zone.
What role does governance play in this matter?
Waldemar Kita wants a change, but he no longer decides alone. This internal redistribution delays the decision and imposes a more collegiate management of the transition.
Can the match at Lorient save the situation?
Yes. A victory would offer a reprieve and validate tactical adjustments. A defeat could confirm the separation and accelerate the implementation of an interim.
What are the main issues identified on the field?
Lack of defensive solidity, poorly managed transitions, athletic decline after the hour mark, and late tactical adjustments. These weaknesses cost points.
Has FC Nantes already experienced recent breaks with its coaches?
Yes. The previous separations with Antoine Kombouaré and then Luis Castro illustrate recurring instability and a need for lasting alignment between management and the sporting project.