Vahid Halilhodžić (foto: Twitter)
Veteran coach Vahid Halilhodžić has returned to Nantes to try to save the struggling club from relegation, citing love for the team as his main motivation.
Vahid Halilhodžić has come out of retirement to take charge of Nantes until the end of the season, saying his emotional attachment to the club convinced him to accept what he described as an almost impossible mission.
The 73-year-old Bosnian coach admitted he initially declined the offer before reconsidering.
“This is my club. When they contacted me, I first said no. It took me three days to accept. My coaching career was over — I came back to try to save the club,” he told a press conference.
Nantes fighting for survival
The eight-time French champions currently sit 17th in the 18-team Ligue 1 table with nine matches remaining, seven points from safety and two behind the relegation play-off spot.
Halilhodžić becomes the club’s third coach this season, replacing Ahmed Kantari, who lasted only three months after taking over from Luis Castro.
Despite the bleak outlook, the veteran manager insists survival remains possible.
“This is an almost impossible mission, but I came to try to achieve something extraordinary. The first objective is the play-off, the second is to play better football,” he said, highlighting the motivation provided by the club’s passionate supporters.
Deep ties to the club
Halilhodžić is no stranger to Nantes. As a player, he helped the club win the French title in 1983 and remains third on their all-time scoring list with 93 league goals.
The club has a rich history, including four French Cup triumphs and a run to the Champions League semi-finals in 1996, built largely on one of France’s most respected youth academies.
During his managerial career, Halilhodžić has led several major clubs, including Lille and Paris Saint-Germain, and managed national teams such as Ivory Coast, Algeria, Japan and Morocco.
High-energy approach despite age
Known for his demanding style, Halilhodžić says he continues to lead by example on the training ground.
“I shout during training — they can probably hear me all the way to Paris. I ride a bike, use the treadmill, do push-ups — more than the players. I try to motivate them in my own way,” he said.
His appointment represents a last-ditch effort by Nantes to preserve their top-flight status and revive a season that has spiralled into crisis.