Announced to leave at the end of 2024, Antoine Kombouaré was finally retained in his position as coach of FC Nantes. Visibly affected by the rumors about a possible dismissal, the person concerned decided to settle scores with the press.
Antoine Kombouaré had a lot on his heart
This is the story of a press conference express. Two days before the arrival of Nantes in Lille, on behalf of the 16th day of Ligue 1, Antoine Kombouaré decided to use the pre-match press conference to send a message that was, to say the least, equivocal to the journalists on place.
“I’m going to do something that might surprise you. I made a decision, you will quickly understand why. You journalists also need to question yourselves, that’s my point of view. You're not going to agree, but I don't care (sic) one bit. What bothers me is that you were all unanimous and categorical on the fact that I would no longer be the coach of FC Nantes today. Everyone in the room. Only one person apologized. I would have liked some writings from you, to say that you were wrong, because you were completely wrong. There was nothing. No phone call. Nothing. You act like I'm not there.
I don't want to be there and you're going to act as if I wasn't there, write like the week before the Coupe de France week, writing anything and everything.
For you, I am therefore not the coach of FC Nantes. It was inconceivable for you to see me present. This is what I felt and understood. It can't happen like that. Otherwise, I will be mean and unpleasant. I don't want to be there and you're going to act as if I wasn't there, write like the week before the Coupe de France week, writing anything and everything. In the past, when I was not happy, I fined certain journalists and they did not come to press conferences. Today you are here, I let you work but I simply withdraw. »
Following this two-minute speech, Antoine Kombouaré ended up expressing his wishes for the new year before getting up and leaving the room without any journalist being able to ask him the slightest question. An anger which results from rumors announcing the arrival of Habib Beye, ultimately aborted following a last minute change of heart from the leaders of FC Nantes.
Failing that, Kanak had to renew its technical staff, notably with the reinforcement of Ahmed Kantari, recently dismissed from his role as head coach at Valenciennes. On the player side, the arrival of Anthony Lopes is supposed to bring a little more serenity in the defensive sector.
Photo credits: Dave Winter/FEP/Icon Sport
