Its volcanic character has resurfaced. Accustomed to rants and not really known for mincing his words, Antoine Kombouaré began the year 2025 as he ended many others: angry. Furious, the FC Nantes technician presented himself with a closed face at a press conference this Thursday. And it wasn't really time for wishes and resolutions. But the accusations and the settling of scores.
“Excuse me, I will ask you not to interrupt mehe started in the preamble and as reported by our colleagues at RMC Sport. I'm going to do something that will surprise you. In any case, that's what I am (…) You have written lots of things. I didn't take it into account because it was a difficult situation for the club and for me. But so, it was normal given the results. I made a decision today, you will quickly understand why, you journalists must also question yourselves. That's my point of view, you're not going to agree, but I don't really care. What bothers me a lot is that you have all been unanimous and above all categorical on the fact that today I will no longer be the coach of FC Nantes. Everyone, everyone here in the room. Only one person apologized.”
You're going to act like I'm not there
Then Kombouaré continued his monologue, accusing the journalists of “s'be deceived, because you are completely wrong.” “I say it like that because that's how I feel. But nothing happened. No phone calls, at least to apologize or to explain. From there I told myself that you act as if I wasn't there. So if I'm not there, I'm not the coach of FC Nantes as it was inconceivable for you that I'm present today“, he lamented. Preferring not to say more, so as not to “to be unpleasant and mean“, the Nantes coach shortened the press conference.
“So you're going to act as if I wasn't there, like the week before the Coupe de France match when you wrote everything and anything. And you messed up so it can't happen like that, without consequences, in my opinion. In the past when I was not happy with certain journalists, I fined them and they did not come to press conferences. But today you are here, I let you work, but I simply withdraw“, he blurted. Before concluding: “Thank you ladies and gentlemen, and happy new year to all.”
