Nantes axes Girard:

Rene Girard was sacked as coach of struggling French top flight side Nantes on Thursday, a day after a humbling 6-0 home loss to Lyon, a club source said.

Reserve team coach Philippe Mao will take charge on an interim basis for Saturday’s game against Guingamp.

Nantes are second from bottom of Ligue 1, just two points ahead of Lorient, and are without a win since mid-October. (AFP)