FC Nantes - The Rebellious Straight A Student

Welcome all to the very first series of my FM13 Story. This is my first shot at something like this and I’m not the greatest FM player either but hopefully that can make for a great adventure filled with high’s and low’s.


Michel Der Zakaria Resigns



Michel Der Zakaria has resigned from his post as FC Nantes manager after just weeks of starting his new job over an alleged transfer budget dispute.

It is believed the former Armenian international was unhappy with the money given by Chairman Waldemar Kita, a sum said to be somewhat distant from what was initially promised.

Der Zakaria represented Nantes for nine years during 1979 and 1988, totalling 140 appearances and just the one goal as well as managing the side in Ligue 1 as both assistant an head coach during 2006-2008 before the club’s relegation to Ligue 2.

Les Canaris later announced “It is with great regret that we announce the departure of Michel Der Zakaria as first team manager of FC Nantes. We would like to thank Der Zakaria for his input. The club are keen to get on with pre-season, therefore will attempt to announce a new manager as soon as possible”.

FC NANTES TO ANNOUNCE IN COMING DAYS



FC Nantes chairman Waldemar Kita has declared the club will make an announcement in the coming days regarding their new manager.

The vacant spot at La Beaujoire-Louis Fonteneau has been a hot topic of late in Ligue 2 with EA Guingamp manager Jocelyn Gourvennec hot favourite to land the job.

The former Nantes and Marseille midfielder led Guingamp to 7th last season and has been with the Brittany club since 2010.

Other favourites for the job include Nantes legend and current Paris Saint Germain assistant manager Claude Makelele as well as former Portuguese international Paulo Sousa who is believed to be ready for management again having quit his previous post at Videoton due to family reasons.

The Sleeping Giant


Now sitting comfortably in Ligue 2, it’s hard to believe FC Nantes were once one of the top sides in France.

Les Canaris who are now looking for the second manager of the season already have struggled to gain promotion since their relegation back in 2008 and many will be doubting them once again after the surprising departure of Michel Der Zakaria.

Based in Nantes, Pays de la Loire, Football Club de Nantes was formed in 1943. Nantes, or FC Nantes Atlantique as they were known before 2007 were formed from five separate clubs, Saint-Pierre, Stade Nantais UC, AC Batignolles, ASO Nantaise and Mellinet.

Mellinet manager Marcel Saupin along with Jean le Guillou founded Nantes with the traditional yellow and green strip dedicated to Guillou’s race horse stables.

Saupin declared, “Today we are a small team but we will become a great team if we work together.”

Since then, Nantes have won the Ligue 1 title eight times (1965, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1995 & 2001), the Coupe de France three times (1979, 1999, 2000), the Trophee des Champions three times (1965, 1999, 2001) as well as finishing semi-finalists in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996 & 1980.

Throughout their history, Nantes have produced the talents of Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps, Christian Karembeu & Mickael Landreau under the guidance of club legends Jose Arribas, Raynald Denoueix and Jean-Claude Suaudeau.

Despite being in Ligue 2, Nantes still enjoy intense rivalry with Stade Rennais in what is known as the ‘Derby Breton’. On top of that we have the ‘Derby de l’ouest' with SCO Angers and what the French press call the “mini classic” with Girondins de Bordeaux.

EXCLUSIVE

Christian Karembeu Appointed as FC Nantes Boss



Former World Cup winner and French international Christian Karembeu has been announced as the new manager of FC Nantes.

The ex-Nantes player will return to La Beaujoire-Louis Fonteneau to venture into the world of management for the first time after signing a one year contract.

Karembeu who was previously working at Arsenal as a scout will have the tough task of pushing Nantes towards the promotion places on a limited budget.

Fans gathered in their hundreds to welcome back one of their heroes and Karembeu is delighted to be back.

“I’m very pleased to be back here. The fans out there were incredible in the way in which they welcomed me and I'm ready to repay their faith with titles in the future.

“It’s very surreal coming back here. I have very fond memories of my time at Nantes and I can’t wait to start a new chapter once again with Les Canaris”.

Karembeu was coy on transfer talk although admitted he may have to look towards a few additions in the future if Nantes are to be successful this season.

“I’ve not thought about any names in particular and it would be better for me to assess my side first before I look at anyone.

“Evidently we will sign some players as does everyone at the start of the season. We are likely to strengthen our side if we are to compete because there are some top sides in Ligue 2.

“This division has never been harder and we’ll have to do very well to get promoted because we have teams like Monaco who are essentially a Ligue 1 side with huge funds available, Auxerre who will be looking to bounce back up and Lens, Guingamp & Dijon who I expect to be there or thereabouts.

“So to reiterate, I haven’t looked at any player yet. Yes I will be using my knowledge gained from scouting at Arsenal but my priority is to assess the team first and develop from there so any speculation lingering at the moment is not true.”

Wenger Backs Karembeu



Arsene Wenger has backed former employee Christian Karembeu to do the job expected of him at FC Nantes.

His fellow compatriot had more than a few kind words to share about Karembeu, tipping Nantes to be at the top half of the table fighting for promotion.

“Nantes are a team who in my eyes desperately need to be promoted soon and they’ve taken the right approach in appointing Christian.

“He’s a guy with great mental strength and I could tell he was keen on the job because he was always there to help out with the Under 19’s and reserves when possible.

“It will be a difficult season for them but also for everyone in Ligue 2 because the competition is high but Nantes need to steady the ship and Karembeu can do that for them.”

Wenger also failed to rule out any future loan moves between Arsenal and Nantes, declaring he may be “open to the option”.

“It’s difficult to say anything at the moment. With young players it depends on their situation at the club.

“I have not spoken to Christian since so I am not aware of his plans but we’ll see how things develop.”

Wenger also had time to share a small joke with the press.

“I have a message for Karembeu. Christian, dans les prochains jours, vous aurez recieve une de mes vestes longues pour vous protéger du froid. Ça a été un moment depuis que vous avez été à Nantes et je peux vous dire l'Occident n'est pas chaud comme il l'habitude d'être.”

(You can google translate that if you wish if you don’t parler francais. I don’t plan to use French often at all, just felt I should add that in here lol).

Karembeu Impressed by Young Trio



Christian Karembeu has expressed his delight at three future FC Nantes stars following their 1-0 win over the Nantes Reserves.

Aristote Ndongala, Jawad Boukabous and Badr Zouhir were the three players outlined by the Nantes boss after having solid performances despite an early Fabian Pancrate goal giving the favourites the win.

“Ndongala, Boukabous and Zouhir were two players that really impressed me. It is fair to say the first team players are not fully fit yet but these three players in particular sure gave them one heck of a game.

“They all have a sense of real maturity which is a bonus and all possess good technical ability and I look forward to seeing more of them in the future.”

When asked if the three hotshots would get into the first team however, Karembeu was far more reserved.

“It’s still early days both for us as a squad as for them. They are still very young guys of the ages of 17-18. They need to be protected and nurtured in a correct manner. I wouldn’t want to throw them straight into the ring like that.

“We still haven’t got anywhere with bringing in new players and having assessed our squad. I’m looking to add two or three to the roster.

“Until then, I’d like to see them develop in the youth and reserve teams. In the future who knows if they’ll play? Like everyone else, if they impress, they’ll get their chance but for the moment, let’s just allow the future to decide itself.”

Van der Sar Replaces Baronchelli



Edwin Van der Sar is the new assistant manager of Christian Karembeu at FC Nantes.

The former Manchester United and Holland goalkeeper joins Les Canaris following the joint decision by Karembeu and Nantes chairman Waldemar Kita to sack Bruno Baronchelli.

Baronchelli’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season and it is believed the Ivorian’s reluctance to renew led to his departure.

LATEST: NANTES LOAN IN YOUNG GUN



FC Nantes has agreed terms with Arsenal to loan in Hector Bellerin until the end of the season.

This marks Christian Karembeu’s first strike in the transfer market as the Spanish full back looks to provide competition for Issa Cissokho.

Karembeu is rumoured to be looking at both Kristoffer Olsson and Thomas Eisfeld, also from Arsenal although the Gunners are likely to want a loan fee said to be superior to what Nantes can afford.

KAREMBEU RULES OUT BIG MOVES



Such is the dismal financial state of FC Nantes that Christian Karembeu has ruled out any big spending on new players.

Nantes’s transfer budget has already caused a managerial casualty this season following Michel Der Zakaria’s shock resignation but Karembeu is confident he can still handle it.

“I knew we had little money available but I had hoped we could free up some money here and there and that hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

“For this reason very reason I will be maintaining the squad including our staff largely as it is as I feel we still have a strong enough squad to compete.

“My desire is still to add some players but I am 90% sure all of them will be loan moves. We simply do not have the funds at our disposal.”