the Kita have changed their mind again, Kombouaré should stay

Close to leaving a few days ago, Antoine Kombouaré would have finally been reinforced in his functions by the leaders of FC Nantes. Barring yet another twist, he will still be on the bench in 2025.

Waldemar Kita continues to cultivate the art of the counterbalance. After having sought in vain to bring back Sergio Conceição, before closing the Habib Beye track, the boss of the FCN would have once again changed his mind. According to information this Saturday from L'Equipe and Presse-Océan, the Nantes leaders have finally decided to keep Antoine Kombouaré in his post. A long discussion on Friday between all parties, at Jonelière, would have been decisive in this choice.

Kombouaré did not abdicate

Seriously threatened by a series of poor results, Kanak will be there this Saturday for the 32nd final of the Coupe de France against JA Drancy, in Saint-Ouen (6 p.m.), and he should still be there for the resumption of the League 1 in January, barring any new developments. Waldemar Kita and his son Franck, general manager of the club, would have felt in recent hours Kombouaré more than motivated by the maintenance mission.

Questioned on this subject on Thursday at a press conference, the main person concerned was, as usual, very clear: “My future? It's been a long time since I asked myself this kind of question, otherwise I only think to that and ultimately, I don't think about working, I have other things to do than think about what I'm going to become.” Winner of the 2022 Coupe de France, Kombouaré left in May 2023 before returning in March 2024 to replace Jocelyn Gourvennec.

Now under contract until 2026, he was weakened by the catastrophic series of ten games without a victory which stretched in Nantes between September and November. The draw obtained at the Parc des Princes (1-1) and the victory in the derby against Rennes (1-0) gave it a little fresh air, but Moses Simon's Canaries plunged again last Sunday with a 4-1 rout in Brest land. With only 14 points taken in 15 days, they are only one point ahead of the red zone.