Frédéric Antonetti is no longer the coach of FC Metz. Almost three weeks after the relegation of the Grenats to Ligue 2, and after a long reflection, the president Bernard Serin, decided to separate from his coach, in office since the summer of 2018.
In the press release published by FC Metz, the terms of this separation are not specified, but according to our information, the 2 parties have finalized an amicable break, including financial compensation.
This ad is not hardly a surprise even if his contract would run until 2024 since it had been extended for three seasons a year ago. He also appeared worn through this complicated season. She was marked by a few heat strokes, such as her suspension for seven games, or relations that seemed strained with her group, worn down by strict management. Benoît Tavenot, his deputy, often presented as his successor, has also resigned.
Frédéric Antonetti has been blowing hot and cold on his future in recent weeks. “I don’t know if they still want me“he said after a victory (3-2) over Lyon ten days ago. Before the final match against Paris, he confided that he had imagined leaving Metz in the summer of 2021, and dreaming of coaching a national team.
a mixed record
How will FC Metz recover from this departure? Over the years, Frédéric Antonetti has put his paw on the club. He was directly involved in recruitment, which was nevertheless part of the prerogatives of Philippe Gaillot, the deputy general manager. He was also involved in the recruitment of Stéphane Saillant, coach of the reserve team.
Frédéric Antonetti arrived at FC Metz in 2018. He put it back on track before going to the bedside of his sick wife at the end of the same year. He had lived from afar, but with real influence, joining Ligue 1 in 2019 and then maintaining it in 2020. He returned to his position in October 2020 and led the club to 10th place in 2021, the best performance in the clubs in the 21st century. Relegation to Ligue 2, as well as the way it took place, inevitably and strongly tarnishes this record.
Who will replace him ?
To succeed Coach Antonetti, several names are circulating at the moment: the Belgian Emilio Ferreraand Jean Louis Garciawho both trained Seraing, the satellite club of FC Metz in Belgium, the Sochalien Omar Daf and the Dijonnais Patrice Garande.
Several media also advance the arrival of a new sports director. The names of the Belgians Lucien D’Onofrio, Dominique’s brother who worked at FC Metz in the early 2010s, and Michel Preud’homme, are mentioned.