FC Nantes’ zigzag wage policy, from cuts to urgency, brings no lift | OneFootball

FC Nantes binned big earners last summer, gambled on low cost signings that failed, then paid up again in winter, with little reward. According to L'Équipe, the zigzag pay policy has not halted their slide.

Relegation clauses would slash salaries, typically by half and up to fivefold. No survival bonus is planned even if the second bottom side, on 17 points, three clear of Metz and five behind Auxerre, rally.

The reset cut the budget from €80m to €50m, trimmed the wage bill by 40% and raised €40m in sales after a punishing campaign. Veterans Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nicolas Pallois and Pedro Chirivella looked spent, so academy players were promoted.

Bargain bets misfired. Uros Radakovic earned about €40,000 a month for 21 Ligue 1 minutes up front, Amady Camara played 162 minutes without a goal on €12,000 to €15,000, and several on €20,000 or less left in winter. That window logged no arrivals, with only Chidozie Awaziem on €80,000 a real effort.

A wretched first half triggered a winter pivot back over €100,000. Rémy Cabella and Deiver Machado joined that bracket with Mostafa Mohamed and Matthis Abline, and Ibrahima Sissoko arrived for about €2m and €100,000 a month. None cemented a starting place, while Mohamed Kaba on €70,000 and Ali Youssif on €30,000 looked smarter. Nantes now work without a sporting director or recruitment unit, expect many departures, and must absorb the returns of Alban Lafont, at least €150,000, and Jean-Kévin Duverne, at least €100,000.

Source: L'Équipe