Nantes

FC Nantes was founded on 21 April 1943, during the German occupation, by the merger of five smaller clubs in the city. It has won eight French championships and three Coupes de France, and became known for the fluid jeu a la nantaise developed by coaches Jose Arribas and Jean-Claude Suaudeau. Its academy produced Didier Deschamps, Marcel Desailly, Claude Makelele and Christian Karembeu.