News Focus
- FC Nantes want Michel Der Zakarian as their new manager
- The 63-year-old has already led the club to promotion twice before
- He would replace Vahid Halilhodžić, who retired at the end of the season
- The club aims to return to the top flight by the 2027-28 campaign
- Der Zakarian was recently spotted watching the club’s youth team
Relegation to Ligue 2 could mark the start of a new chapter for FC Nantes. The French side dropped down to the second tier this summer. Now they want a familiar face to lead them back up.
The club has set its sights on Michel Der Zakarian. The 63-year-old coach has managed Les Canaris on two separate occasions. He first took charge in February 2007. He left in August 2008. He then returned in May 2012 and stayed until June 2016.
During both spells, he secured promotion to Ligue 1. He managed this in 2008 and again in 2013. The club believes he can repeat this success. Their goal is to climb back to the top division by the 2027-28 season.
Der Zakarian would replace Vahid Halilhodžić. The 74-year-old Bosnian manager retired when the season ended. Reports suggest the Armenian-born coach is the top choice for the Stade de la Beaujoire outfit.
The manager lives in the Nantes area. Fans spotted him at the Challenge Espoirs final a few weeks ago. The Nantes youth team won that match. His presence has increased talk of a third spell in charge.
Not all supporters welcome change. However, many see relegation as a chance to rebuild. They hope Der Zakarian can use his experience to create a stronger team.