FC Nantes owner Waldemar Kita has spoken fondly of​ Pascal Praud’s brief tenure with the club, clarifying that their parting of ways was⁤ amicable and driven by Praud’s desire to return ⁤to⁢ journalism.

kita explained ⁤that he initially ‍sought Praud for a ‌role in marketing and communications. “At the⁢ time,I ⁢needed someone⁤ for marketing and communications,” Kita stated. He highlighted Praud’s deep connection to Nantes and‍ FC Nantes, noting his lifelong passion for the sport, fostered since childhood with his father.‌ “Pascal⁢ is from Nantes,he loved football,he had ‌always followed this sport ⁤and in particular FC ⁣Nantes since‌ he was little with his‍ dad. He knew the ⁤habitat well. He seemed to me to have the right ‌profile.”

While the possibility appeared straightforward for Kita, he⁢ recognized it presented a challenge for Praud.”It wasn’t complicated for me but it ⁤was for him. Deep down, he always wanted to ​be a journalist.” Ultimately, Praud chose to pursue his journalistic ⁢ambitions, leading to a‍ accomplished career. “So we parted ways amicably, and ⁤than he moved on very successfully.”

Kita also acknowledged a degree of local jealousy surrounding Praud’s initial success after leaving Nantes for Paris. “It ⁣must also be said that the local press ​was jealous of him,it was ​the​ Nantais who had⁤ gone to Paris and⁢ who returned after ‌having succeeded.” He⁤ praised Praud’s self-awareness and honesty in recognizing⁢ the role⁢ wasn’t a long-term fit. “He was smart⁢ enough to say, ‘I ‌tried but it’s not for me.'”

The two have maintained a respectful relationship as. “we never got angry and since then, we have always stayed​ in ⁤touch,” Kita confirmed. He described Praud as an intellectually stimulating individual. “He’s a guy of good intellectual level, with ‍whom we ⁣can discuss. Today, he has aged,​ he understands my ideas much better. ‍He​ is grateful to me and ⁤there is ⁤mutual respect between us.”

Kita further elaborated on the ⁣limitations he perceived within the ⁢world of football, suggesting it ⁢can be intellectually stifling. “It‍ just wasn’t ⁢a⁣ world he ⁣could thrive in.He was bored and I understand that. ​In two months, I had toured Nantes. He’s ‌the same. football is good, it’s fun ​but you lock yourself away intellectually. Your brain is no longer working,⁢ you have to do other things.”