FC Nantes [R]

[Mengão86]

Since I didn't find an official topic on this team, I decided to start one. I haven't really followed French football since the 90's when I thought it was one of the better leagues around. Lyon has been appealing to me and I believe they are being overlooked in the CL. Anyways, I have some relatives in Brasil that have a French last name of "Nantet" but it is pronounced like "Nantes." That has intrigued me so I was wondering what anybody can tell me about this football team? Just briefly scanning the members in this section of the forum I didn't find any Nantes fans.

[Allez Lyonnais]

Nantes have been nothing but a crap since the days of New Millenium glory. After they clinched Le Championnat title in 2001, they've been hovering around the mid-table.

Last season was a total disaster. They barely escaped the relegation in the very last day of the season, thanks to the dramatic header of Mamadou Diallo. Btw this guy is a former Malian U-23 international. You'll probably remember him from the 2004' Olympic games.

They've got some good young talents though. The likes of Toulalan (defensive MF), Signorino (left back) and Cetto (centre half) are being tracked by a few prestigious clubs in the French league. The club is financially struggling so bad, so it's unlikely that the leaders will hold on to their players.

The manager is Serge Le Dizet. He took over a sacked Loic Amisse in December 2004. Although the club is currently placed in a lowly 14th spot, well, I have to say he's doing his very best with the inexperienced squad and no spending spree.

[Mengão86]

Nantes have been nothing but a crap since the days of New Millenium glory. After they clinched Le Championnat title in 2001, they've been hovering around the mid-table.

Last season was a total disaster. They barely escaped the relegation in the very last day of the season, thanks to the dramatic header of Mamadou Diallo. Btw this guy is a former Malian U-23 international. You'll probably remember him from the 2004' Olympic games.

They've got some good young talents though. The likes of Toulalan (defensive MF), Signorino (left back) and Cetto (centre half) are being tracked by a few prestigious clubs in the French league. The club is financially struggling so bad, so it's unlikely that the leaders will hold on to their players.

The manager is Serge Le Dizet. He took over a sacked Loic Amisse in December 2004. Although the club is currently placed in a lowly 14th spot, well, I have to say he's doing his very best with the inexperienced squad and no spending spree.

Thanks for the information and good luck to your team in the CL.

[quentinc]

To add on to what Allez Lyonnais said.

They currently have the longest run in the top flight of any French club (I believe it's around thirty years), and stayed up last year in quite incredible fashion on the last day of the season. But that run will most likely be coming to an end soon as they're flirting with bankruptcy, although they do have a pretty solid youth system in place.

The town of Nantes itself is located in the Brittany region of France (northwestern France, roughly), and their main rival is Rennes, who are a little ways up the road.

[sl7vk]

Great town and a great stadium. Too bad they've been a feeder for talent all over France and Europe.

[Nanbawan]

Nantes is a team that is also mainly well known for two things : a great football school that allowed players like Desailly and Deschamps to start professional football and the Nantes typical style of play which always entertains football lovers when they can perform it. Their south-American inspired own style of 'toque' or jeu à une touche de balle (one touch play), one of its best achievements being here (http://www.nonofoot.free.fr/videos/Loko-Passe_de_Pedros-Nantes_vs_Psg-1994.mpg).

http://www.nonofoot.free.fr/


This is why even if they're our rivals, it's always a pleasure to see them play at their best level.

[SportBoy333]

A team this popular should not be a selling club. They have more supporters than Rennes but Rennes have more money and have a better team. That is odd to me. I guess the man who owns Stade Rennes has a lot more money and ambition than the guy who owns FC Nantes.

[Mengão86]

Interesting facts. I also wanted to know who was their most popular players..I guess it is Deschamps and Desailly?

[Nanbawan]

I guess the man who owns Stade Rennes has a lot more money and ambition than the guy who owns FC Nantes.

He has money (a lot), ambition and more importantly, he's attached to the club and the city.

[Nanbawan]

Interesting facts. I also wanted to know who was their most popular players..I guess it is Deschamps and Desailly?

They're certainly the most successful considering their respective palmares.

[SportBoy333]

I cant believe there's no wealthy Frenchman out there who can buy this club and help bail them out financially. Surely there must be a FC Nantes supporter whos a multi millionare out there who wants to buy this club and get them back to the top. Maybe the current ownership just refuses to sell.

[Allez Lyonnais]

Mauro Cetto is set to extend his stay at Nantes. A three-year extension will be signed soon.

[lefutur]

an all breton cup final would be pretty exciting.

Allez les Canaries