Luis Castro: "Nobody plays football just to run"
Newly appointed as manager of FC Nantes, Luis Castro took his first session with Les Canaris, having just been introduced by CEO Franck Kita -- hear more from his introductory press conference.
"Nobody plays football just to run"
After a run of success with both Benfica's reserves in his native Portugal and in France with USL Dunkerque -- where he helped the Ligue 2 BKT side reach the semifinals of the Coupe de France, Castro is at last getting his chance to make his mark with a top flight club. As he took his first sessions with Les Canaris, he spoke about his previous success, his philosophy and more.
Why did you choose FC Nantes?
It is a historic club. I have known FC Nantes from a very young age, from the time when he played major European matches. The team's istoric style of play corresponds to the game I love. I also took into account the work that the training centre does with the Youth League. Given my profile, it's the best club right now. The choice was easy to make. Other clubs contacted me, but I said that I was very close to joining Nantes. It was for me to finish in the club that I wanted.
What is your football philosophy?
I like to have a team playing on the offensive, with or without the ball. I like to have involved players. First of all, nobody plays football just to run. I'm a fan, and when I go to the stadium, I prefer the teams that attack.
Is the style you developed with Dunkirk adaptable to Ligue 1?
When you play well, you're more likely to win than you lose. Most of the teams that are at the top of the Ligue 1 ranking are teams that play well. Of course, these are tough clubs, but in Ligue 2, we faced clubs that had more budgets than Dunkirk and we managed to play level with everyone.
Luis Castro est Jaune et Vert ! #OnEstNantes pic.twitter.com/QHNu3v9uqU
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) June 16, 2025
Do you think the fans can be patient at the start of this new project?
I think the fans are very smart and they know that the players need time. I know that fans will support the young people of the club as if they were their sons. In my way of looking at things, it's not age that's the quality of a player. Yesterday (on Sunday, June 29), PSG won with a very young team against a more experienced team (against Inter Miami in the Club World Cup). You can have in the same team Lamine Yamal, Joao Neves... eleven young players in the absolute, as long as they are self-contained.
What's your number one goal?
I want a team with a strong identity, equal to this club. I want a team with personality. And even when we lose, I want us to be close to winning every game. The results will be what they will be, but it is important to show a beautiful face.
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