At a press conference this Wednesday, the Stade Rennais coach firmly responded to the departure rumors concerning him.
Cash. At a press conference this Wednesday, two days before Rennes-Le Havre (Friday 8:45 p.m.) to start the 9th day of Ligue 1, Julien Stéphan answered questions about his future. In a context where his position is threatened to the point that the former OM coach, Igor Tudor, would be tracked by Frédéric Massara, the Italian sports director of Stade Rennais, who was already following Stefano Pioli last summer, on the departure from AC Milan.
“You know, we lost a friendly match during the preparation in Guingamp. The next day, they sent me Pioli. From the first defeat in July. I would say it showed the setting and context well at that time, counterattacked the Breton coach in front of journalists. But it wasn't a surprise. I was prepared for it and in the end it continued. So I have to seize it as an opportunity to, excuse the expression, shut people’s mouths and continue to move forward.”
Stéphan fights against “headwinds” and “hearsay”
Happy to bring back a draw from Brest (1-1) last Saturday, the Rennais remain in full doubt with only eight points in eight games, for a 13th place in the Ligue 1 standings. However, nothing to scare Julien Stéphan who added want “get to know” the new president Arnaud Pouille – replacement for Olivier Cloarec – while wishing “that we respect the work we do”.
“I remain myself, I don't show anything, I must stay focused on my task: supporting this group, developing it, making choices, guiding it. And so that we can have results. When there are no results, when it is not up to what is hoped for, when there are very high expectations, we know this profession: the first to be weakened is the coach. That’s how it is, that’s the rule. (…) There is a very strong motivation not to give up, to fight against headwinds, against hearsay. I don't know if it's true, if it's not true, I don't know, I can't control it.” concluded Stéphan, undoubtedly touched but far from being sunk.
