FC Nantes are considering the dismissal of head coach Michel Der Zakarian should Antoine Kombouaré be available for a third spell in the dugout, according to a report on Sunday from Foot Mercato. Les Canaris are in disarray after losing their first two games of the Ligue 2 campaign following their relegation from the first tier in May. Nantes were powerless against Red Star (0-1) and conceded defeat in the dying minutes against Laval (2-1) after a blunder from Tylel Tati.
Nantes targeted an immediate return to Ligue 1 in 2027, but they now sit at the bottom of Ligue 2, which considerably weakens Der Zakarian’s position. The former Nantes centre-back previously led Les Canaris to two Ligue 1 promotions, in 2008 and in 2013, in two different spells. But his third one could be cut short.
Foot Mercato reports that Nantes would part ways with Der Zakarian should there is a possibility for Kombouaré to return for a third spell at La Beaujoire. Kombouaré notably won the 2022 French Cup with his formative side. He was dismissed the following season only for him to return in 2024.
Let go at the end of the 2024-2025 campaign, Kombouaré oversaw a remarkable upturn in form at Paris FC, which he led to safety before PFC parted ways with him to appoint Liam Rosenior. Thr 62-year-old Kombouaré reportedly intends to take a short break from management.