Strasbourg

In 2003, Kombouaré was already being tipped to coach PSG, the club where he made his name as a player, and had spent four years coaching the reserves team with positive results. However, the arrival of Vahid Halilhodžić at the helm forced him to change his plans. He therefore joined Strasbourg where he achieved an impressive 13th spot in the league, playing some good football along the way. However, a poor start to the 2004–05 season prompted him to leave the Alsace-based club.^{[citation needed]}

Valenciennes

In July 2005, Kombouaré was appointed at Valenciennes, then playing in the second tier of French football. In his first season, he led them to promotion to the top flight, a level from which the club had been relegated in 1993. In the three seasons that followed, Kombouaré helped the club to stabilize itself at the top level of French football. He improved the club's position in every season: 14th in 2006–07, 13th in 2007–08 and 12th in 2008–09, establishing his credentials as a coach who could achieve impressive results on a tight budget.^{[citation needed]}

Paris Saint-Germain

In May 2009, Kombouaré's former club PSG came calling back to him, offering him the position of manager. He accepted and signed a three-year contract, replacing Paul Le Guen, with whom he had played at Nantes and PSG.^[5] In 2009–10, the Parisian club, in spite of its new signings such as Mevlüt Erdinç and Grégory Coupet, performed poorly in the league and finished in mid-table. Kombouaré made up for this by leading the club to success in the Coupe de France, where they beat Monaco in the final.^{[citation needed]}

In 2010–11, he again led the club to the Coupe de France Final, which they lost to French champions Lille. In the Coupe de la Ligue, PSG looked set for a final showdown with fierce rivals Marseille, but were stunned by Montpellier in the semi-final. The side performed much better in the league, finishing fourth in spite of a limited playing squad. The Parisians almost achieved qualification to the Champions League, but were let down by tiredness and an inability to perform when it mattered most.^{[citation needed]} However, the attacking brand of football played under Kombouaré's guidance brought acclaim from both fans and writers for the capital club, with many people^[who?] agreeing that PSG were playing their best football since Luis Fernández's first spell as coach between 1994 and 1996.^{[citation needed]}

During the 2011–12 season, PSG crashed out of the Coupe de la Ligue and the Europa League during the first half of the season, and on 29 December 2011 – with his club top of the table – Kombouaré was sacked by PSG sporting director Leonardo and replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, putting an end to much speculation about his position at the club. Despite holding top spot in Ligue 1 when he was sacked, the club ultimately finished as runners-up to champions Montpellier.^{[citation needed]}

Al-Hilal

On 27 June 2012, it was confirmed that Kombouaré was appointed head coach of Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on a one-year deal with an option for a second, but he was sacked on 31 January 2013.^{[citation needed]}

Lens

On 18 June 2013, Kombouaré became manager of Lens, earning his team a promotion in his first season at the club after it finished in second place in Ligue 2.^{[citation needed]}

Guingamp

On 30 May 2016, Kombouaré became manager of Ligue 1 side Guingamp. They finished the season in mid-table. On 6 November 2018, he was sacked due to poor results.^[6]

Dijon

On 10 January 2019, Kombouaré became manager of Dijon, replacing Olivier Dall'Oglio.^[7] After winning the relegation play-off to keep Dijon in Ligue 1, he parted ways with the club on 9 June 2019,^[8] with Stéphane Jobard taking over as manager on 20 June.^[9]

Toulouse

On 14 October 2019, Kombouaré was appointed as manager of Toulouse.^[10] On 6 January 2020, Toulouse terminated Kombouaré as manager following the club's humiliating 1–0 loss to Championnat National 2 side Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire in the Coupe de France. Under Kombouaré, the club had lost ten matches in a row, leading him to be dismissed and replaced by Denis Zanko.^[11]

Nantes

On 11 February 2021, Kombouaré signed with Ligue 1 side Nantes.^[12] He joined the club during the second half of the season, helping Les Canaris stay in Ligue 1. Nantes finished 18th in the league, and won the play-offs against Kombouaré's former side Toulouse.^[13]

In the 2021–22 season, Kombouaré led Nantes to a Coupe de France victory. They defeated Nice 1–0 in the final.^[14] In the 2022–23 season, Kombouaré led Nantes to a second consecutive Coupe de France final, although they were eventually defeated 5–1 by Toulouse.^{[citation needed]}

On 18 March 2024, after Jocelyn Gourvennec was sacked, Kombouaré was re-appointed as the head coach of Nantes.^[15]

Player

Paris Saint-Germain

• Division 1: 1993–94, runner-up: 1992–93^{[citation needed]}
• Coupe de France: 1992–93,^[4] 1994–95^[16]
• Coupe de la Ligue: 1994–95^[17]

Sion

• Swiss Cup: 1995–96^{[citation needed]}

Manager

Valenciennes

• Ligue 2: 2005–06^{[citation needed]}

Paris Saint-Germain

• Coupe de France: 2009–10, runner-up: 2010–11^{[citation needed]}

Lens

• Ligue 2 runner-up: 2013–14^{[citation needed]}

Nantes

• Coupe de France: 2021–22,^[14] runner-up: 2022–23

Individual

• Ligue 2 Manager of the Year: 2005–06^[18]

Orders

• Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur: 2015^[1]