Kylian Mbappe faces backlash from SM Caen fans, who accuse the Real Madrid star and club owner of treating the Ligue 2 team like a “toy” following the contentious dismissal of their manager.

Kylian Mbappe has faced criticism from SM Caen fans after the controversial dismissal of manager Nicolas Seube. Interconnected Ventures, a company founded by the Real Madrid star, acquired a majority stake in the Ligue 2 club through its investment arm, Coalition Capital, last summer. Mbappe reportedly invested €15 million (£12.6 million) of his own money in the deal.

Caen has struggled this season, sitting third from bottom with 10 losses in 17 games. As a result, Seube was sacked last Sunday after the team’s poor performances.

Fans expressed their displeasure with Mbappe during Friday’s match against Clermont Foot, unveiling banners that read: “Here, only work and loyalty make legends,” “Before wanting to shine internationally, respect local figures,” and “Mbappe, the SMC is not your toy.”

While the newly appointed manager, Bruno Baltazar, was not met with outright hostility, a few fans whistled when his name was announced. Baltazar acknowledged the fans’ frustrations, stating: “The fans are the heart of the club. Their reaction is normal. I want to change the situation, bring back victories, and restore their pride.”

Interestingly, Caen nearly signed a young Mbappe when he was 13, as revealed in a BBC documentary by scout David Lasry. However, the move fell through when the club was relegated from Ligue 1 in 2012. Mbappe later joined Monaco’s academy before rising to prominence

at PSG.