Nîmes Olympique, a historic club from the south of France, has just suffered a brutal and painful drop: relegated to National 2, the fourth tier of French football, the club is now on its knees. For many fans and observers of French football, this fall represents the collapse of a national monument. Here’s a look back at the story of a once-glorious club, now crippled by poor decisions, financial struggles, and a highly criticized leadership.
🏟️ A Historic Club in French Football
Founded in 1937, Nîmes Olympique quickly became a major player in French football during the second half of the 20th century. The club enjoyed its golden years in the 1950s to 1970s, with several top-flight campaigns in Division 1 (now Ligue 1), a French Cup final in 1958, and even finishing runner-up in the French league that same year.
The Stade des Costières, inaugurated in 1989, was home to many unforgettable nights for the “Crocos,” a nickname given to Nîmes players in reference to the city’s emblem. The club has seen legendary players such as Michel Mézy, Zlatko Vujovic, and more recently, Téji Savanier.
📉 A Relentless Decline
After a stunning return to Ligue 1 in 2018 under coach Bernard Blaquart, Nîmes surprised many by finishing 9th in the 2018–2019 season. But that moment of glory was short-lived. By 2020, sporting and financial issues began to weigh heavily on the club.
The departure of Blaquart, followed by constant changes in management and coaching, created a deep sense of instability. Relegated to Ligue 2 in 2021, the club failed to regroup. After chaotic seasons in the lower leagues, Nîmes ended bottom of National in 2024–2025 and was relegated to National 2.
🧑💼 President Rani Assaf: A Deeply Controversial Leadership
Since taking over the club in 2014, Rani Assaf, a former executive at Free, has been at the center of intense criticism. Initially seen as a modern savior, his rigid management style and controversial decisions gradually alienated players, staff, and especially the fanbase.
Some of Assaf’s most criticized decisions include:
- Shutting down the club’s youth academy, which had produced top talents like Savanier, Buades, and Alakouch.
- Closing the Stade des Costières to launch a new stadium project (Stade Nemausus), leaving the team without a true home.
- Breaking ties with ultras and supporters’ groups, as well as clashing with local authorities.
- Implementing an aggressive cost-cutting policy, which left the club unable to compete financially—even in Ligue 2.
💸 Mounting Financial Woes
The club’s financial health has steadily worsened. With falling revenues (ticketing, sponsorship), no clear sporting project, and little investment, Nîmes collapsed both on and off the pitch.
In the third tier (National), the team was never equipped to push for promotion. Salaries were slashed, recruitment was weak, and internal tensions were high. There were even moments when the club risked administrative relegation due to poor management.
🥀 A City in Mourning
For the people of Nîmes, this drop to the fourth division is a true sporting and emotional tragedy. No longer part of the professional world, the club now faces a completely different reality.
Calls for Rani Assaf’s resignation are growing louder, and several club legends have accused him of holding the club hostage. Fans now swing between anger and resignation.
⚽ What’s Next?
The future of Nîmes Olympique is more uncertain than ever. The new stadium project is still ongoing, but seems irrelevant without a competitive team. The club will likely need to rebuild from the ground up, reconnecting with local talent and the community.
But as long as the current ownership remains, many believe a true comeback is impossible. Some even suggest creating an entirely new club, as Bastia and Strasbourg once did in the 2010s.
📢 Conclusion
Nîmes Olympique is not just a football club—it’s a part of French sports heritage. Its descent to the fourth division is the result of a collapse in vision, structure, and leadership, where finances and conflict replaced passion and community.
Only time will tell whether the Crocos can bite again… or if they will remain a forgotten legend of French football.
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