The 2006-07 campaign delivered ultimate heartbreak for FC Nantes as Les Canaris finished a crushing 20th in Ligue 1, suffering relegation and ending an incredible 44-year stay in the French top flight. Despite the presence of World Cup winner Fabien Barthez and a run to the Coupe de France semi-finals, the team struggled for goals, with joint top scorers Claudiu Keșerü and Mamadou Diallo managing only four goals apiece. It was a dark, turbulent year built on defensive woes and an inability to find consistency, marking a painful and defining chapter in the historic club's modern history.