Full Name: Nîmes Olympique
Founded: April 10, 1937
Stadium: Stade des Costières
Capacity: 18,482
President: Rani Assaf
Manager: Frédéric Bompard (as of the 2023-24 season)
League: Championnat National (Third Tier of French Football)
Nickname: Les Crocodiles (The Crocodiles)
Nîmes Olympique is one of the historic clubs in French football, based in Nîmes in the Occitanie region. Despite not being as successful as some of the bigger clubs in France, Nîmes has a long-standing presence in French football, having experienced several stints in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, and is known for its passionate fan base and rich history.
Historical Performance
Ligue 1:
- First Season in Ligue 1: 1950-51
- Best Finish: 2nd place (1957-58, 1958-59, 1971-72)
- Most Recent Ligue 1 Season: 2020-21 (Relegated to Ligue 2)
- All-Time Ligue 1 Matches Played: 900+
- All-Time Wins: 300+
- All-Time Goals Scored: 1,200+
- All-Time Goals Conceded: 1,400+
Nîmes has had multiple stints in the top flight of French football, with the club’s golden period coming in the late 1950s and early 1970s, when they consistently challenged for the Ligue 1 title. Their most recent spell in Ligue 1 came between 2018-2021, before they were relegated to Ligue 2.
Ligue 2:
- Titles: 4 (1950, 1960, 1985, 1997)
- First Season in Ligue 2: 1937-38
- Most Recent Season in Ligue 2: 2022-23 (Relegated to Championnat National)
- All-Time Ligue 2 Matches Played: 1,600+
- All-Time Wins: 600+
- All-Time Goals Scored: 1,500+
- All-Time Goals Conceded: 1,300+
Nîmes has historically been a yo-yo club, moving between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 throughout its history. The club has consistently been competitive in the second tier, earning promotion on several occasions.
Championnat National (Third Tier):
- Titles: None (but multiple seasons played)
- Most Recent Season: 2023-24 (currently in the third tier after relegation from Ligue 2)
- Previous Stints in Championnat National: 1994-1997, 2004-2008, 2010-2012
Nîmes has played in the third tier of French football during periods of difficulty, but they have managed to bounce back several times, earning promotions to Ligue 2 and Ligue 1 over the years.
Coupe de France (French Cup):
- Best Finish: Runners-up (1957-58, 1960-61, 1995-96)
- All-Time Appearances: Over 100 matches
- All-Time Wins: 65+
- Goals Scored in Coupe de France: 190+
Nîmes has been a competitive team in the Coupe de France, reaching the final on three occasions but failing to win the trophy. Their most notable run came in 1995-96, where they reached the final despite being in the third tier at the time.
Recent Seasons (Last 5 Seasons)
2022-23 Season:
- Ligue 2: 19th place (Relegated to Championnat National)
- Coupe de France: Round of 64
- Top Scorer: Malik Tchokounté – 12 goals (all competitions)
- Most Assists: Yassine Benrahou – 7 assists (all competitions)
2021-22 Season:
- Ligue 2: 9th place
- Coupe de France: Round of 64
- Top Scorer: Moussa Koné – 11 goals (all competitions)
- Most Assists: Niclas Eliasson – 10 assists (all competitions)
2020-21 Season:
- Ligue 1: 19th place (Relegated to Ligue 2)
- Coupe de France: Round of 64
- Top Scorer: Renaud Ripart – 11 goals (all competitions)
- Most Assists: Zinedine Ferhat – 10 assists (all competitions)
2019-20 Season:
- Ligue 1: 18th place (season truncated due to COVID-19 pandemic)
- Coupe de France: Round of 64
- Top Scorer: Renaud Ripart – 6 goals (all competitions)
- Most Assists: Zinedine Ferhat – 8 assists (all competitions)
2018-19 Season:
- Ligue 1: 9th place (Best finish since promotion)
- Coupe de France: Round of 32
- Top Scorer: Denis Bouanga – 10 goals (all competitions)
- Most Assists: Téji Savanier – 14 assists (Ligue 1 assist leader)
All-Time Leading Goal Scorers
| Player | Goals | Appearances | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kader Firoud | 110 | 233 | 1945-1958 |
| Jacky Vergnes | 91 | 142 | 1967-1973 |
| Laurent Boissier | 85 | 190 | 1990-1999 |
| Eric Cantona | 25 | 49 | 1989-1990 (loan) |
Kader Firoud is a club legend, having played and managed Nîmes during its most successful years in the 1950s and 1960s.
All-Time Leading Assist Providers
| Player | Assists | Appearances | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Téji Savanier | 25+ | 74 | 2018-2020 |
| Zinedine Ferhat | 20+ | 100+ | 2019-2022 |
| Renaud Ripart | 18+ | 222 | 2015-2021 |
Téji Savanier, who was Ligue 1’s assist leader in the 2018-19 season, is considered one of the most skillful players to have played for Nîmes in recent years.
Notable Achievements and Records
- Best Ligue 1 Finish: 2nd place in 1957-58, 1958-59, 1971-72. During these seasons, Nîmes was a regular challenger for the Ligue 1 title.
- Most Consecutive Seasons in Ligue 1: 15 (1950-1965)
- Most Ligue 1 Goals in a Season: 90 goals (1959-60 season)
- Most Goals Scored by a Player in a Single Season: Jacky Vergnes – 31 goals (1971-72)
Cup Runs:
- 1957-58 Coupe de France Final: Lost 3-1 to Stade de Reims
- 1960-61 Coupe de France Final: Lost 3-1 to Sedan
- 1995-96 Coupe de France Final: Lost 2-1 to AJ Auxerre (while Nîmes was in the third division)
Recent Transfer Activity
2023-24 Season:
- Notable Incomings: Axel Guessand (Free from Quevilly-Rouen), Charles Abi (€500k from Saint-Étienne)
- Notable Outgoings: Malik Tchokounté (Free transfer to Paris FC), Yassine Benrahou (€1m to a European club)
2022-23 Season:
- Notable Incomings: Mahamadou Doucouré (€1m from Lorient), Jean N’Guessan (Loan from Nice)
- Notable Outgoings: Niclas Eliasson (€2m to a Ligue 1 club), Moussa Koné (€1m to a Ligue 2 club)
2021-22 Season:
- Notable Incomings: Pablo Martínez (Free from Strasbourg), Mattéo Ahlinvi (€500k from Dijon)
- Notable Outgoings: Renaud Ripart (€3m to Troyes), Zinedine Ferhat (€3m to a Ligue 1 club)
Player of the Season Awards (Last 5 Seasons)
2022-23 Season:
- Player of the Season: Malik Tchokounté
- Young Player of the Season: Jean N’Guessan
2021-22 Season:
- Player of the Season: Niclas Eliasson
- Young Player of the Season: Mattéo Ahlinvi
2020-21 Season:
- Player of the Season: Renaud Ripart
- Young Player of the Season: Kelyan Guessoum
2019-20 Season:
- Player of the Season: Zinedine Ferhat
- Young Player of the Season: Lucas Buades
2018-19 Season:
- Player of the Season: Téji Savanier
- Young Player of the Season: Denis Bouanga
Notable Records and Milestones
- Most Ligue 1 Appearances: Kader Firoud – 233 matches
- Most Goals in Ligue 1 for Nîmes: Kader Firoud – 110 goals
- First Promotion to Ligue 1: 1950
- First European Appearance: 1972-73 UEFA Cup
Unique Achievements:
- Nîmes Olympique reached the Coupe de France Final as a third-division team in 1996, losing to Auxerre, marking a historic run for the club.
- Nîmes Olympique has bounced back multiple times from relegation, showing resilience in the face of adversity. Their most recent promotion to Ligue 1 came in 2018, after more than two decades out of the top flight.
Nîmes Olympique is a club with a rich history, one that has experienced both highs and lows in French football. Despite not having the same resources as some of the top teams in France, Nîmes has always been competitive and passionate, with loyal supporters backing the team. The club’s identity as “Les Crocodiles” remains an integral part of their culture, representing a fighting spirit that has helped them repeatedly return to the top divisions of French football.
