Emmanuel LANGELLIER, Media365: Published on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 3:54 pm
Relegated to Ligue 2, FC Nantes will face Toulouse on Sunday evening to close the 2025-26 season. Vahid Halilhodzic will officiate for the last time on the Canaris’ bench.
The 34th and final day of Ligue 1 on Sunday at 9:00 pm reveals important stakes. Who will go to the Champions League to accompany Paris-Saint-Germain, the 14-time French champion (5 times in a row), and its runner-up Lens? Who will play in a European Cup in 2026-27? Lille, Lyon, Rennes, Marseille, and Monaco are wielding their weapons to conclude as the lucky ones. Who will face Saint-Étienne in the playoffs? It will be either Nice, Auxerre, or Le Havre. FC Nantes, on the other hand, knows its fate. Assured of finishing 17th, it is relegated to Ligue 2 along with FC Metz.
“I have already reserved my place in the retirement home”
The Canaris will therefore play a final match without stake, at home against Toulouse. And, returning to finish this 2025-26 season on the bench, Vahid Halilhodzic will not continue his task beyond the month of June. No Ligue 2 for the former striker who will not stay long in the Loire-Atlantique and made a surprising remark about his future.
“No, it’s over. They asked me, but no. I have finished. I have already reserved my place in the retirement home,” joked coach Vahid in an ironic tone, in front of journalists on Friday. Before adding: “Yes. There is a pool, tennis courts… and a good wine cellar. I also deserve some rest. I deserve it. I joked a little with the players, of course.”
Vahid worried about the future
The Bosnian, joking but also worried about the future of FCN. “Yes, I think so, he replied to the question ‘Are you worried about the future of the club?’. We must do everything to return to the first division next year. We must prepare for that right away. Otherwise, we fall into the gloom of results and other difficulties. There is a huge, and I mean huge, amount of work to be done on and off the field.”
