Nantes manager Antoine Kombouaré: “We’re a shit team.”

Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré had some harsh words for his players following their 2-1 loss to Auxerre in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Speaking to Prime Video after the match, Kombouaré expressed his frustration with his team’s lack of commitment to fighting for survival in the league. The following was transcribed by L’Équipe.

“Today, the players are not concerned about staying up,” Kombouaré said. “We’re in the round of 16 of the Europa League, we’re going to the Stade de France in two weeks. But they (the players) prefer us to be in the shit, to be 17th, to wake up. I’m up for it. They like to play with pressure, so let’s laugh. Today, I hear the Auxerre fans saying that we have a good team, but no, we’re a shit team.”

Kombouaré’s comments reflect the frustration of a coach whose side struggling in Ligue 1 this season. Nantes are currently in 15th place, three points from safety, and have won just one of their last five matches. The Canaris’ intoxicating European adventure, which culminated in a match against Juventus, coupled with their excellent performance in the Coupe de France, with a final coming up in two weeks, may have distracted the players from their primary goal of avoiding relegation and finishing strong in the top tier.

GFFN | George Boxall