Ahmed Kantari under scrutiny at Nantes amid results worse than Raymond Domenech | OneFootball

Ahmed Kantari has faced early scrutiny at Nantes as results falter in what is currently their worst of 58 top-flight seasons. In charge since mid-December, he remains focused on survival and retains board backing.

According to L'Équipe, his Ligue 1 record after six games is one win and five defeats, poorer than Raymond Domenech’s four draws and two losses in early 2021. Nantes are second bottom and the situation is prompting questions.

Tactical choices have been debated, with Johann Lepenant used on the right and Dehmaine Tabibou at left wing-back. Concerns have also surfaced about communication with players recently moved on or reduced to limited minutes, including Junior Mwanga and Ignatius Ganago. Academy prospects Tylel Tati, sent to the stands against Lyon, and Bahmed Deuff have also been mentioned.

Roles looked defined in the 2-0 win at Marseille on 4 January, some argue. After a training camp in Spain, others felt pressing triggers were unclear during the 1-4 loss to Nice on 25 January. Reviews are held every six weeks, with around a dozen individual video debriefs weekly.

Kantari avoids empty promises to supporters, stressing commitment and aggression while seeking more structured play in training, including four finishing sessions a week. Senior players remain behind him, and the hierarchy prioritises survival over showcasing youngsters, adding that comparisons with Domenech are not like-for-like. Two competitive displays, a 0-1 defeat to Lyon and 1-2 at Lorient, offer encouragement, though swift points would help quell doubts.

Source: L'Équipe