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“To see Vahirua and Georges Eo sing Johnny Hallyday, it was the apotheosis of a fantastic season”

Some 600 kilometers now separate Sylvain Armand from the city in which he revealed himself to France’s footballing eyes two decades ago. New sports coordinator of LOSC since the takeover of Les Dogues by the Merlyn Partners group, the former defender who worked for Paris SG and Stade Rennais keeps a special place in his heart for FC Nantes, the club that allowed him to blossom and win his first two trophies in 2001. And his return to the Beaujoire stadium, this Sunday afternoon, will necessarily be tinged with emotion. Interview.

“It saddens me when I see FC Nantes in this situation”

How do you feel when you return to Nantes with Lille?

It is always a real pleasure to return to Nantes because I have a lot of ties there. It’s always a pleasure to find Beaujoire again even if I wear the colors of another club now. Once the game has started, everyone defends their colors, but I always follow FC Nantes’ results closely. I have kept a lot of contact with people at FC Nantes and it saddens me when I see the club in this situation.

What significance does the Beaujoire stadium have for you?

La Beaujoire is something extraordinary. I kept in touch with three quarters of the players I played with during my first season [en 2000/2001, ndlr]. We were a family, I don’t know if it still makes sense in football today, but at the time it had. We all got along well. From president to coach. We cannot forget this year of the title which allowed everyone to invade the stadium, Marama Vahirua and Georges Eo to paddle and sing Johnny Hallyday. These are unforgettable moments. It was the apotheosis of a fantastic season. La Beaujoire is important to my heart. Before playing, I watch the Loko, Pedros, Ouedec and company who made me dream with the famous Nantes game.

My career, I owe it to FC Nantes and I will always thank him.

FC Nantes defender Sylvain Armand takes a ball in front of Auxerrois Arnaud Gonzalez, in 2002 at Beaujoire (1-4). © AFP
Franck Perry

Does FC Nantes still hold a special place in your heart?

Of course, a lot. I will never deny it. Even though I went to Stade Rennais, the competing club, I have FC Nantes in my heart, it’s the club that made me evolve. I have wedding witnesses who are former Nantes players (Mathieu Berson and Hassan Ahamada). My career, I owe it to FC Nantes and I will always thank him. Afterwards, when we had other colors we were kinda lit by the supporters, but it’s good kid.

You are now linked to LOSC, what is your role there?

I am a sports coordinator. I make the link with the players, the president and the coach, I manage the sports section. I take care of certain missions to unload Christophe Galtier so that he has just the eye on the sporting aspect. I try to bring my experience and hit the head of players who do not fit in the frame. I also take care of the training center. These are very interesting responsibilities. It’s nice to work in this super good atmosphere.

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