According to L’Équipe, Antoine Kombouaré looks unlikely to be the manager of FC Nantes come next season, whilst he could even depart should Les Canaris lose against Stade Brestois on Wednesday.
Kombouaré won the Coupe de France with Nantes last season, beating OGC Nice at the Stade de France in a tight, cagey game. Despite that victory, it wasn’t a given that he would remain in the managerial seat, with much publicised tensions with the club’s ownership casting doubt over his future.
However, Kombouaré did eventually stay, and defied the odds to drag Nantes back to the Stade de France for another Coupe de France final this year. However, lightning didn’t strike twice. Instead it was FC Toulouse that lifted the trophy on Saturday after a resounding 5-1 win over Les Canaris.
In the league meanwhile, Nantes are above the relegation zone only on goal difference, and face Brest, who currently occupy the final relegation place on Wednesday. In the case of a defeat, Kombouaré could leave the Breton club, with Nantes considering Jocelyn Gourvennec as a potential replacement.
In any case, L’Équipe report that it is “improbable” that Kombouaré will be the manager of Les Canaris next season. His current deal expires in June, and a renewal is unlikely.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
