Nantes fires coach Rene Girard following home loss

Rene Girard holds a match ball as a gift for the supporters. (Michael Sohn/AP)

NANTES, France — Paying the price for Nantes’ heaviest home loss, coach Rene Girard has been sacked by the French league club.

The eight-time champion was thrashed 6-0 by Lyon midweek, and was second to last after 15 games.

Girard, who led Montpellier to the title in 2012, has been replaced by interim coach Philippe Mao. He was previously in charge of the reserve team.

Mao’s first game in charge will be at Guingamp on Saturday.

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