FC Nantes Sale: Waldemar Kita Confirms Three Offers and Admits Failure After 19 Years

The Franco-Polish businessman, who took control of the Canaris in 2007, did not mince words regarding the current state of affairs on the banks of the Erdre. According to coverage from regional publication Presse Océan and corroborating reports by L’Équipe and Foot Mercato, Kita addressed persistent speculation surrounding a potential sale, acknowledging that multiple parties have come forward with concrete interest.

“I have always said that if there are proposals, we will sit around a table and discuss,” Kita explained, as reported by outlets covering the interview. “If it has to happen, I will try to do everything to make it go well. But nothing is done, nothing is serious.”

Three Buyout Offers on the Table Amid Strict Confidentiality

While confirming the existence of three formal purchase propositions, Kita pushed back against specific rumors circulating in the sports media. He explicitly dismissed claims that any of the bids originated from British investment funds, labeling those reports unfounded. Due to binding confidentiality agreements enforced during such preliminary takeover talks, the club president declined to reveal the identities or nationalities of the interested parties, though he noted that any prospective buyer must present a viable operational strategy rather than just financial backing.

The timeline for a potential transition remains entirely open-ended. Kita emphasized that he is under no immediate pressure to finalize a deal, stating that the priority lies in ensuring any handover is managed properly. “I am not a month or two off, or even a year. I am not in a hurry. What I want is for it to be done well,” he noted.

A Sber-Real Assessment of Nineteen Years at the Helm

The admission regarding potential buyers coincides with a remarkably candid self-assessment from the club owner. Reflecting on a tenure that spans nearly twenty years, Kita refused to paint a rosy picture of his stewardship, especially following the club’s recent relegation to Ligue 2.

“I cannot paint a positive assessment. It’s impossible. I didn’t do what I wanted,” Kita admitted in interviews covered by Le Figaro. While highlighting domestic silverware—specifically the Coupe de France triumph in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023—he acknowledged that the broader trajectory of the club has fallen short of supporters’ expectations.

He also addressed his internal motivation after nearly two decades in French football. “I’m starting my 20th year. I ask myself a lot of questions. Something isn’t right. Maybe I’m not made for this. Passion goes maybe too far… Today or tomorrow, it is perhaps important that I pass the torch,” he confessed, adding with blunt realism that a departure would likely satisfy a large portion of the fanbase.

The Unhealed Wound of the YellowPark Project

In detailing the obstacles that hindered his vision for FC Nantes, Kita pointed directly to the aborted YellowPark stadium project. Conceived as a modern 40,000-seat arena featuring a retractable roof and an integrated training center, the ambitious infrastructure venture was ultimately shelved after years of administrative friction.

“There is a turn we didn’t take. We had a magnificent project, I spent millions, and doors were closed on us. In the end, zero!” Kita lamented, expressing frustration with local municipal authorities regarding the lost economic and athletic benefits.

With the club navigating the realities of Ligue 2 competition and the ownership structure facing its most uncertain juncture in two decades, the coming months will determine whether any of the three current buyout proposals can bridge the gap between initial talks and a formal acquisition. Supporters await further developments as the club prepares for its upcoming league fixtures and potential shifts in its corporate governance.