Moroccan trainer Ahmed Kantari confirmed interim coach of FC Nantes amid relegation fight

French side FC Nantes has announced Moroccan coach Ahmed Kantari as the club’s new interim manager following the dismissal of Portuguese coach Luis Castro.

Castro was relieved of his duties after 15 league matches, with Nantes languishing in 17th place with just 11 points, level with bottom-placed Metz.

The Canaries are set to face Angers tomorrow in the opening fixture of the 16th round.

Kantari, 40, who also holds French citizenship, previously served as Nantes’ assistant coach.

He began his football journey in the Paris Saint-Germain youth system and enjoyed a professional career with Strasbourg, Brest, Lens, Toronto FC, and Valenciennes, retiring in 2019.

Transitioning into coaching, Kantari started as an assistant at Valenciennes before joining Sabri Lamouchi as his deputy at Nottingham Forest and Al-Duhail in Qatar.

He also held the role of technical director for Valenciennes’ youth teams on multiple occasions. In December 2024, he became Antoine Kombouaré’s assistant at Nantes, later continuing under Luis Castro.

The appointment could also open opportunities for Egyptian international striker Mostafa Mohamed, who has struggled for game time at Nantes.

Mohamed, part of Egypt’s squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations in Morocco starting December 21, may see more minutes under Kantari’s interim stewardship.