Although the period may be suitable, FC Nantes supporters would never have dared to write Sérgio Conceição's name on their Santa Claus list. The Portuguese is in fact one of the (very) rare coaches to have been unanimously unanimous on the Jonelière side for two decades. Even Antoine Kombouaré has seen his credit gleaned through the victory in the Coupe de France and the European epic erode in recent weeks and could be shown the door at the next misstep. And if there are a lot of ifs left, West France affirms that the former Porto man is one of the candidates for his succession. A potential return that is enough to make one salivate, without failing to question its viability and the risk of still living in the past.
Return to a glorious past
On paper, seeing the current seventeenth in Ligue 1 offer himself the services of a coach with a now well-established status would still constitute a very nice move, especially when The Team claims West Ham and Everton are also on the case. A technician who knows the house perfectly and the necessarily particular context of FC Nantes. Arriving at the side of an FCNA penultimate in Ligue 1 (well, well) in December 2016, Conceição then took it to seventh place in the championship, a stone's throw from Europe. The club's best ranking in the elite since 2004 and undoubtedly a – too short – golden period for all Beaujoire regulars.
Worse still, the club has never found peace on its bench since his departure, more than seven years ago. With the exception perhaps of the first passage of Antoine Kombouaré today in the tough and deprived of victory since August 31. In the meantime, Conceição has put respect on his name, with three Portuguese championship titles and four cups at the head of the Dragons. To the point of being mentioned on the shelves of several clubs of another standing, like OM this summer, an opportunity on which he did not rush, leaving the field open for the arrival of Roberto From Zerbi. This shows that seeing him land in Nantes a few months later would be a surprise, as much as an unexpected catch for the Canaries. But could it really solve the chronic difficulties of a club that still operates erratically?
Are you compatible?
To answer this question, “Serge Conception” at least has the advantage of his relationship with the president of the club. “ In private, I have always expressed my admiration for Waldemar Kita, the man who gave me this opportunity to show my work on the big stage that is Ligue 1 », he wrote in a long farewell message published upon his departure in June 2017. Since then, the coach has kept a special place in the esteem of the patriarch of the Kita, who keeps a photo of his former technician in his office. Be careful, however, that the club environment does not become toxic once again, especially given Franck Kita's attachment to Antoine Kombouaré.
Another asset up Conceição’s sleeve: his esteem for the club, which the supporters reciprocate. “ What I contributed to FC Nantes lets me leave with a clear consciencehe further assured in his message. We have laid the foundations for a more professional future for this club. Despite an impressive record, we were overwhelmed by an increasingly competitive football world. Today, FC Nantes is indeed an attractive club. » Not sure that the Canaries have really followed the path in the meantime, tirelessly falling back into their eternal failings. Calling on a former coach again would also pose the inevitable risk of continuing to live in the past. And in the best case scenario, how can we imagine in this context that this second mandate would be better than a temporary remedy, even if it turned out to be as effective as the first time?
Before the DNCG, Lens and Nantes escape the ax
