Nantes, 17th, know relegation all too well after two this century | OneFootball

Currently 17th in Ligue 1, Nantes have twice dropped into Ligue 2 this century, the last time in 2009, and needed four years to come back.

According to L'Équipe, Fabien Barthez clashed with supporters in the La Beaujoire car park on 28 April 2007 after a 0-2 loss to Stade Rennais. Eleven days later Nantes went down for the first time despite a 1-0 win at Bordeaux, and Barthez, a December free signing after Marseille, left the next day.

The slide followed 17th in 2005 and 14th in 2006. Rudi Roussillon had targeted sixth place but the summer recruits failed. Le Dizet made way for Georges Eo after six winless games, then Eo was replaced by Michel Der Zakarian and Japhet N'Doram, and a 0-0 with Toulouse was abandoned after a pitch invasion.

That summer Socpresse sold to Waldemar Kita, who led an immediate return a year later. Back in Ligue 1 Der Zakarian was sacked after three matches, Christian Larièpe bridged the gap, then Élie Baup took charge. The first win came only on matchday 6 and spending did not pay off.

Nantes peaked at 13th on matchday 22, then won two of the final 16. A 2-1 over Auxerre on the last day was not enough after a 1-2 at Sochaux left them 3 points behind Caen and 16 goals short. Relegation was confirmed amid incidents aimed at Kita, while Frédéric Da Rocha was spared on his 508th and final appearance.

They spent four seasons in Ligue 2 before returning in 2013 and have stayed up since, surviving the 2021 play-off against Toulouse 2-1 and 0-1. For now, a similar route looks the scenario they hope for.

Source: L'Équipe