Despite the arrival of Jorge Sampaoli on his bench, Stade Rennais continues to struggle in the championship. Internal dissensions between the Argentinian technician and Frédéric Massara, the sporting director of the Breton club, do not help to improve things.
Stade Rennais was in dire need of a revival at the time of Julien Stéphan's dismissal. The Bretons then flirted with the red zone despite a more competitive squad than the teams at the bottom of the table. In an attempt to create a psychological shock and reverse its own history, the Rennes management has set its sights on Jorge Sampaoli. The bubbling Argentine coach is therefore seen as the coach of the break. A few weeks later, the mayonnaise has still not taken hold since the Breton technician has lost 4 of his 6 Ligue 1 matches already played. To do better, the former OM coach believes he needs new recruits. Except that disagreements with Frédéric Massara, the sports director, generate tensions within the club. An internal war which slows down Rennes' ambitions.
Sampaoli and Massara, a duo that does not work
According to information from L'Equipe, Jorge Sampaoli would be ready to go as far as conflict with his sports director to be able to win his case. Frédéric Massara does not completely agree on the identity of the recruits desired by the Argentine coach. The opposite is also true: when Sampaoli proposes a file, Massara rejects it; when Massara proposes a file, Sampaoli rejects it. In addition, the Rennes technician would like to be able to count on South American recruits, including certain players he has met in the past. Except that the adaptation time generally required by players from South America does not suit sports management who prefer profiles of players experienced in Ligue 1 and ready to use.
The winter transfer window is therefore a major issue for both men. Frédéric Massara, who has already taken a hit because of his completely failed 2024 summer transfer window, may well not emerge unscathed from these tensions with Jorge Sampaoli.
