Dismissal of Pierre Aristouy, appointment of Jocelyn Gourvennec as coach… FC Nantes supporters in misunderstanding

Pierre Aristouy, now ex-coach of FC Nantes, was dismissed from his duties on Wednesday, giving way to Jocelyn Gourvennec.

He arrives in a tense climate. Jocelyn Gourvennec was appointed, Wednesday September 29, coach of FC Nantes for the remainder of the season, with another option. He replaces Pierre Aristouy, who had been on the bench since May 9, 2023, who arrived a few minutes before. A decision which concerns the club’s supporters. Because, if the Canaries remain in four games without a victory in the league, the situation did not seem urgent, with an 11th place and four points ahead of the play-off place.

During an interview given to The Teamthe president of Nantes, Waldemar Kita, justified this decision“We have the impression that we are not progressing. We have only won five games since Pierre (Aristouy) has been here, we have one of the worst defenses in the championship. There are things that appear so logical”, he explained. A statement that makes you jump Aurélien*, editor for the media The Yellow Houseand a Nantes supporter for over 20 years: “It’s smoke and mirrorshe estimates for franceinfo: sport. In the game, there is clear progress compared to last season. Against Lens, Reims and Le Havre, we could have done much better with a little more luck or refereeing decisions on our side.”

A choice that Nathan, 23, a member of the Activ’Nantes supporters group for six months, does not understand either. “With Pierre Aristouy, we really had the impression that the Nantaise game had returned and that FC Nantes was going to be able to be reborn. We are really going deep,” he exclaimed to franceinfo: sport. Several supporters have also launched the hashtag #SoutienAristouy on social networks.

Chronic instability

However, it is not a big surprise to see Nantes change coaches during the season. In the 21st century, FC Nantes is the second team which has had the most different technicians behind Marseille. An instability all the more marked since the arrival of Waldemar Kita in 2007, with 20 changes of coach in 16 years in a club which had only known three different ones in 19 years between 1982 and 2001. A situation that the main interested explains as follows: “I have an unpleasant job since I’m the one who presses the button, and I’m willing to take the criticism, but I manage a club”. Some Nantes supporters are demanding his resignation with the slogan #KitaOut on Twitter in particular.

Passed by FC Nantes as a player between 1995 and 1998 (109 matches, 32 goals), Jocelyn Gourvennec knows the house well and that gives him “confers legitimacy” judge for his part Martin, 19 years old, also a member of the Activ’Nantes group, even if “given the current context, the recruitment of a new coach was not necessary”. The 51-year-old technician was no longer in post since his departure from Losc in June 2022, and will lead his first match as coach of the Canaries on Saturday December 2, with the reception of OGC Nice in Ligue 1 on the 14th day .

*The first name has been changed