Waldemar Kita suggests he could have saved Nantes from relegation
FC Nantes president Waldemar Kita has claimed the club would not be facing relegation had he intervened more directly in sporting matters this season. In a wide-ranging interview with Eurosport, the long-serving owner defended his record amid a turbulent campaign that sees Nantes embroiled in a desperate fight for survival near the bottom of Ligue 1.
Kita, who has owned the club since 2007, reflected on his often-fraught relationships with coaches during his tenure, having overseen 23 managerial changes. He described the coaching profession as a unique one, stating that coaches "take you hostage. With them, you are no longer president, you are nothing." Despite this, he insisted all changes were made "in the interest of the club."
The president reserved particular criticism for former manager Luis Castro, who was dismissed in December. Kita labelled the appointment his "biggest mistake" and questioned Castro's credentials, calling him "an educator" who "cannot succeed." Castro is now at Spanish side Levante, who are also battling against relegation. "This coach is going to relegate two clubs in the same year," Kita said.
Most notably, Kita suggested his own hands-off approach this season was a critical error. "It's not me who manages sporting matters, let that be clear," he said. "Because if I had intervened a little more this season, I don't think we would be in this situation. Today, we are going to go down because I let everything happen. I'm sure of it, yes." This remark implies a belief that greater presidential influence on team affairs could have altered the club's precarious league position.
Nantes, historically one of France's most successful clubs, have struggled for consistency since their relegation in 2021 and subsequent immediate return. Kita's presidency has been marked by frequent fan protests criticizing his management and ambition. The club's current plight, sitting in the relegation play-off spot with a handful of games remaining, has intensified scrutiny on his leadership.
Kita's public comments, shifting blame onto a succession of coaches while also suggesting he himself could have done better, are unlikely to placate a disillusioned fanbase. They also cast a shadow over the current coaching staff, led by Antoine Kombouaré, as the team prepares for a tense final run-in. The interview reveals a deep tension at the heart of the club's structure as it stares down the prospect of a return to the second division.
