Kylian Mbappe warned his club is ‘dying and will die’ following surprise visit after sacking boss

Kylian Mbappe's start to his Real Madrid career has been a dream so far - but his ownership of SM Caen is turning into a nightmare.

The 26-year-old became the majority owner of the Ligue 2 side in July 2024, but it's safe to say it hasn't been a successful season so far.

Mbappe was on hand to bang in a hat-trick to dump Manchester City out of the Champions League midweek - before returning to France on Thursday.

Arriving at Caen, the 2018 World Cup winner was greeted by fans and the media with the club facing the prospect of relegation into France's third-tier for the first time in 41 years.

Supporters vented their frustration towards the forward in December after he axed boss Nicolas Seube - unfurling a banner which read ‘SMC is not your toy’.

His replacement Bruno Baltazar was then relieved of his duties on Tuesday with fans left fearing their side is destined for the drop.

Michel Der Zakarian's first match in charge ended in 2-2 draw on Saturday with Pau earning a share of the spoils.

It leaves Caen sitting bottom of the table, ten points off safety - a stark contrast from their sixth-placed finish last term.

Mbappe did his best to inspire supporters prior to the clash, where he called for fans to support the team and believe in their project.

He said: "It's important for me to be here. I want to show my support, to be in contact with everyone and for them to know that they count on me, and especially in the situation we're in.

“If I'm here it's because I believe in the project. I wanted to have come earlier but it was impossible. I told them that I was with them and that they had to believe. And I saw a group that is not resigned and wants to change the results.

"I think that with the quality of the team and the support of the fans, things can change and I hope that this is a turning point. In football, we have seen that nothing is impossible.

“There is a lack of confidence, but I think that a good result can change the team's spiral. I understand the frustration of the people, as I have told them personally, because I have not been through this before.

“It is normal to be angry, but the people support, fill the stadium and our mission is to give our best.”

His message didn't sit well with ex-Paris Saint-Germain star Jerome Rothen, who enjoyed two spells at Caen, as he criticised Mbappe over his words of encouragement.

Rothen told RMC Sport: "The situation at Caen is critical. The club is going through serious difficulties at all levels. Mbappe's management has been problematic since he took over at Caen.

"He had the opportunity to come and explain to the players, the employees or the mayor his vision of things at the Stade Malherbe, but he didn't want to.

"When he had days off, he could have gone to Caen instead of going to Sweden. Now it's too late."

Before adding: "This club is dying, and it will die. It will be in the National League and it will be lucky if it gets back on its feet."

Mbappe will try to put his Caen worries behind him as he prepares to face Girona on Sunday.

And he will be looking to improve on his tally of 27 goals this term having starred in Spain since joining Real on a free transfer.