Why Stéphane Ziani turned down a promotion at Nantes | OneFootball

Stéphane Ziani has rejected a promotion at Nantes after being lined up as coordinator or sporting director during a turbulent week.

According to L'Équipe, president Waldemar Kita made the offer, having stepped back from day-to-day matters but remaining watchful with the club 17th. The brief was to support the Portuguese at La Jonelière, handling discipline and conflicts.

On Sunday he was sent off after a touchline flare-up in the 1-1 draw with neighbours Vertou. Assistant Willy Grondin was involved and Ziani’s words were in the report, so he risks a heavy ban. That was not why he refused.

After the 1-2 defeat by Lens, Nantes weighed sacking Castro, but with Will Still out of reach and Angers four days away there was no viable alternative. By Monday Ziani looked ready to accept and Castro agreed to cooperate. He held a similar role briefly in 2011, yet did not proceed.

He did not feel unanimous backing and seemed to want a broader sporting director remit rather than simply complementing Castro, despite not being a recruitment specialist. The scope looked vague. The Kita family learned via the media of his decision.

Ziani, who joined Nantes at eight, will remain in charge of the N3 after a one-year extension from Franck Kita in June. Nantes are not expected to seek another coordinator for now. Castro prepares Angers without extra support, and remains under threat if there is no rebound at Raymond-Kopa.

Source: L'Équipe