Paris FC manager Antoine Kombouaré recently opened up about a deeply impactful period in his career: his abrupt departure from Paris Saint-Germain in the winter of 2011. The veteran coach, currently steering Paris FC, recounted the experience on the RMC program “L’After Foot,” revealing a story of surprise, frustration, and a moment of intense anger towards then-PSG sporting director Leonardo.
Kombouaré arrived at PSG in 2009, signing a three-year contract after a successful stint at Valenciennes. He initially navigated a period of transition for the club, ultimately achieving success by winning the Coupe de France in 2010 and reaching the final in 2011. Under his leadership, PSG also began to establish itself as a consistent contender in Ligue 1.
A Sudden Shift in Power
Yet, the landscape at PSG dramatically shifted in June 2011 with the arrival of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI). Kombouaré immediately sensed his position was precarious. “When Qatar bought PSG, I immediately understood that as a coach, I was no longer secure,” he explained. He described being summoned to Doha by the new ownership, initially believing it was a formality. “When (Robin) Leproux, the club president at the time, told me the Emir wanted to see me, I thought it was unnecessary. I had a contract. they could simply pay it out and I would leave.”
Surprisingly, Kombouaré was reassured during the meeting in Doha, being told he was wanted as the coach. He continued in his role, witnessing the club’s transformation under new ownership. Despite a strong start to the 2011-2012 Ligue 1 season, and navigating a significant number of injuries within the squad, the situation began to deteriorate with the appointment of Leonardo as sporting director later that year.
“I Was Ready to Rip His Head Off”
The arrival of Leonardo, and the subsequent influx of new personnel, gradually eroded Kombouaré’s influence. The breaking point came during the winter break of the 2011-2012 season, despite PSG sitting atop the league table. Kombouaré was informed he was being replaced by Carlo Ancelotti. “And then I learned it was over,” he recalled. “It was a shock. I felt it coming because I was experiencing things with Leonardo that weren’t right.”
The manner of the dismissal left a lasting impression. Kombouaré admitted to harboring intense anger towards Leonardo at the time. A recent revelation, shared on “L’After Foot” and highlighted in a Twitter post by the program, detailed the extent of his fury. “When Leonardo told me I was leaving PSG, I wanted to rip his head off,” Kombouaré confessed. He acknowledged that Leonardo later apologized, but by that point, Kombouaré had moved on.
💬 Antoine Kombouaré, invité exceptionnel de l’After : “Quand Leonardo m’a annoncé mon départ du PSG, sur le coup, j’avais envie de lui arracher la tête. On s’est revu par la suite, il s’est excusé mais j’étais passé à autre chose.” pic.twitter.com/hESCn2sax6
— After Foot RMC (@AfterRMC) April 1, 2026
The experience prompted a period of self-reflection and a change in perspective for Kombouaré. He took six months away from the game before accepting a coaching position in Saudi Arabia. “I understood that in football, you can be at the top and still get fired,” he said. “So I decided to live my life. I stopped making career-driven choices; I wanted to earn a living, and if it ends tomorrow, I’ll have done what I needed to do to secure my future.”
Now, more than 14 years after the events unfolded, Kombouaré states he harbors no ill will towards Leonardo. “Two years later, I ran into him again, and he apologized,” he said. “I had already moved on. At the time, I almost ripped his head off, but once it’s over, you move on.”
Antoine Kombouaré, now 62, continues to navigate the challenges of professional football as the head coach of Paris FC. His journey, marked by both triumph and adversity, serves as a stark reminder of the often-unpredictable nature of the sport. His current focus is on securing the long-term stability of Paris FC in Ligue 1, a task he appears to be tackling with renewed purpose and a wealth of experience.
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