Mbappe appoints Gael Clichy as head coach of SM Caen.

Kylian Mbappe, in his role as owner of SM Caen, has just taken a crucial step to rescue the team from its dismal run of results. Gaël Clichy, the former renowned defender of Arsenal and Manchester City, has been officially appointed as the club's head coach.

Mbappe's nightmare at Caen

Since taking over the former Ligue 1 club, the French national team captain's journey at Caen has been anything but smooth. Under Mbappe's leadership, Caen has repeatedly faced financial difficulties and a significant decline in performance. His first season as owner ended in the worst possible way, with the team being relegated from Ligue 2 to the National (third division).

Pressure from public opinion and fans is weighing heavily on the club's management. In November, a defeat to sixth-division side Bayeux in the Coupe de France sparked a fan riot, forcing police intervention. Even former players and key figures like Alexandre Mendy have publicly criticized the club's lack of direction in management.

The gamble named Gael Clichy

Clichy's appointment was seen as a surprising and risky choice. This marks the 40-year-old former star's first time as head coach after his time as an assistant with the French U21 team and supporting Thierry Henry at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Clichy is expected to bring modern footballing philosophy and top-level experience from the Premier League to revitalize the team.

Currently, Caen sits in 10th place in the National, 6 points behind the promotion play-off zone and 10 points away from direct promotion. The challenge for the new French manager is immense, as he must quickly stabilize the dressing room and improve the team's ranking in the second half of a season that has already been disastrous.