Antoine Kombouaré leaves door open to an OM move

Antoine Kombouaré has opened the possibility of coaching Marseille while confirming that a return to Nantes was never under consideration. The former Paris Saint-Germain defender is currently without a club after leaving Paris FC during the summer.

Kombouaré said Nantes had not contacted him after Michel Der Zakarian was dismissed at the end of August. His name had been linked with another spell at the club, where he previously coached from 2021 to 2023 and again from 2024 to 2025. Nantes instead appointed Grégory Poirier, with the team sitting bottom of Ligue 2 at the start of the season.

The 61-year-old explained that physical problems, including difficulties with his knees, led him to end his Paris FC tenure. He had joined the club the previous winter and helped secure a comfortable position, with six wins, three draws and two defeats in 11 matches. He said he had no regrets about stepping away after discussing his condition with owner Antoine Arnault.

Kombouaré expects to be available from January and remains interested in managing a national team at a World Cup. He said he had held contacts and meetings in the past but had generally preferred club football. Asked about Marseille, he indicated that the club’s energy and character would appeal to him. He also identified Manchester United as his dream coaching destination, believing he could match the work of some Premier League managers.