A year after his return to the VAFC sidelines, Ahmed Kantari has never been so fragile. Between an insufficient sporting record, faulty communication and questions which continue to grow internally, the 39-year-old technician is clearly on borrowed time. Decryption.
One year later, a failure
One victory, four draws and five defeatssuch is the VAFC's record over the last ten championship matches. In free fall for two months, the northern club remains in particular with two worrying defeats against Bourg-en-Bresse (1-2) and QRM (2-0), each time with content close to nothing. And if it is clearly not helped by the injuries of certain executives (Louchet, Dibassy) or even the recent suspension of Mathias Oyewusi and the decline in performance of captain Rémy Boissier, Ahmed Kantari appears lostunable to find any means to remobilize his group.
So much so that the successful start of the season, with three consecutive victories and six first matches without defeat, appears today as a sham, a pretense which does not stand up to the test of truth of the statistical assessment. . Since his return to the Valenciennes sidelines, Ahmed Kantari has won 8 matches (including one on the green carpet) for as many draws and above all 17 defeats, i.e. less than an average point per match. And it is not the good performance in the Coupe de France, recently brandished like a standard by the former central defender, which will be enough to make us forget this state of affairs which is, to say the least, disastrous.
An increasingly precarious situation
Contested in the stands, with “ Don’t, resign ! » descended in numbers from the aisles of the Stade du Hainaut during the defeat against Bourg-en-Bresse, the VAFC coach is also starting to be questioned internally. Present during this sad match, Henrik Kraftthe president of the club, called an impromptu meeting with Ben Chorley, the director of football, to discuss very concretely the future of Ahmed Kantari at the head of the team. And if no decision was taken in the heat of the moment, reflection continues among Valencian leaders.
Especially since Ahmed Kantari scored against his camp, the same evening, by being the author of a media outing which raised the hackles of a lot of people internally: “I hadn't even started the season when there was already this reluctance towards me, so after the first defeat at home those who are against me take advantage of it. When we had three victories at the start of the season, we didn't hear anything. Not so long ago, we were in the semi-final of the Coupe de France for the first time in 54 years. And if the club was bought a year and a half ago by Sport Republic, and it is still alive today, I think I have a little bit to do with it. »
Beyond the victim position adopted by Ahmed Kantari, this speech simply had the effect of adding fuel to the fire. During this time, some coaches began to survey the club and even apply, likeArnauld Mercierfree of any contract after several experiences in Belgium. Recently sacked from his post at the head of FC Rouen, Maxime D'Ornano is also one of the names circulating in the Valencian microcosm. However, the surprise could come from the appointment of a foreign coach, belonging to the Sport Republic galaxy.
At any rate, Ahmed Kantari's position is hanging by a thread. And knowing that the VAFC will be exempt during the 14th day of the National at the beginning of December, the window of opportunity to change coaches seems ready. To be continued.
Romain PECHON
Photo credits: Dave Winter/FEP/Icon Sport
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