The local and national media were unanimous, just a few weeks ago: Antoine Kombouaré’s hours at the head of the canaries were numbered. Rumors pointed to the imminent arrival of Sérgio Conceição, first. But the Portuguese, former successful strongman at FC Nantes, finally signed for AC Milan. Rumors then reported a signing from Habib Beye. They fizzled out.
Finally, the former FCN and Paris SG defender is still at the head of the team chaired by Waldemar Kita. He was expected before the press this Thursday, to discuss next Saturday’s match in Lille, as well as the arrival of a new goalkeeper, the former Lyonnais Anthony Lopes. Kombouaré took the microphone, but only for a two-minute monologue that was a bit disjointed, during which the press took it for granted.
“I’m going to ask you not to interrupt me. I’m going to do something that will surprise you. What am I going to start with…, said the coach, in a press conference transcribed on the website of RMC Sport. The week following the defeat against Brest, we worked to prepare for the Coupe de France match. Lots of things happened. You have written a lot of things. I didn’t take it into account, because it was a difficult situation for the club and for me. But that was normal given the results.”
It was then that “Casque d’or” blurted out: “I made a decision today, you will quickly understand why. You journalists must also question yourselves. 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. There was only one person who apologized.”
“I would have liked writings to the effect that you were wrong, because you were 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 would be present today.
And he left the room, announcing that he would not speak again for the season.
