FC Metz, the king of the lift! For the 6th time since 2002, theThe club at the Croix de Lorraine is therefore relegated to L2. The return of the Garnets to the antechamber of the elite was formalized at the end of the 38th day, after the defeat in Paris (5-0) and the draw of St Etienne in Nantes (1-1).
After 3 seasons in L1, FC Metz will therefore no longer go to the Vélodrome and the Parc des Princes next summer, but will find Niort, Guingamp or even Le Havre, faithful of the 2nd division.
Tenth a year ago, its best ranking for more than 20 years, FC Metz has therefore collapsed this season, for several reasons.
Already in the field coach Antonetti has never been able to line up his typical team twice in a row. Too many injured, too many suspended, and above all too many executives whose level this season has been disappointing, like the attackers Ibrahima Niane and Opa Nguette, who have become ghostly, or even the defender and captain, Dylan Bronn, who shied away from responsibility.
The mind, let’s talk about it! The Grenats were sorely lacking, losing precious points at the end of the match, or against direct competitors in the battle for maintenance.
On this point, Coach Antonetti admitted that he had not been able to instil in his group a true warrior spirit. Despite his 600 matches in L1, the Corsican technician also has his share of responsibility in this descent: by persisting in maintaining an overly defensive game pattern, by dismissing certain summer recruits too quickly, or by exerting excessive pressure and authority. about his group and the club.
Relegation and its consequences
The club’s coffers at the Croix de Lorraine will inevitably take a hit: less TV rights, less box office revenue and therefore a reduced budget.
The financial director of FC Metz will console himself by noting that the club’s payroll will also be reduced. The big salaries of the workforce, the de Préville, N’Doram or Amadou, should leave.
The next summer transfer window will also be very livelywith a garnet group that will be deeply reworked.
The staff could also change. Coach Antonetti, who still has 2 years of contract, and who has just experienced the first relegation of his career, has seemed somewhat worn in recent weeks. His fate is in the hands of President Serin.
The goal will of course be to come back, starting next season, but the competition is already looking fierce. With the passage of the L1 and the L2, to 18 clubs, only two teams will be able to claim next year a place in the elite.
This return to Ligue 2 will also be marked by two major firsts for our Garnets. They will face, for the first time in the history of the club, Pau and Annecy.