Julien Stéphan removed, it is the usual coach of the Rennes reserve, Sébastien Tambouret, who is responsible for acting as head of the first team. While waiting for the expected arrival of Jorge Sampaoli, whom he knew in Marseille, he is preparing to be on the bench this Sunday against Toulouse (5 p.m.).
It is a priori only a question of hours (or days). As advanced by RMC Sport, Stade Rennais is very close to reaching an agreement with Jorge Sampaoli to make him the successor to Julien Stéphan, dismissed at the start of the week to try to stop the persistent slide of a Breton team swept away by Auxerre ( 4-0), last Sunday, and only 13th in Ligue 1.
Once anticipated, the track leading to Habib Beye has cooled and today it is the volcanic Argentine technician who holds the rope. In the meantime, the interim role has been entrusted to the coach of the Rennes reserve, Sébastien Tambouret. Before leading his first session in the afternoon, he presented himself alone this Friday morning at a press conference, his leaders not wishing to speak officially before having resolved the question of the new coach.
He was at OM at the same time as Sampaoli
If he seems very well on his way to taking his place on the bench this Sunday against Toulouse (5 p.m.), on the occasion of the 11th day of Ligue 1, Sébastien Tambouret did not want to be categorical either. “I admit that it wasn't in my schedule planned at the start of the week (smile)! Normally, I should be preparing for a match with the Pro2 group. Now, there is a mission to do. It's okay to be short term, that's for sure. I have the mission to take the team from point A and bring it to point B. It could be one, two sessions… On the bench on Sunday? We do everything as if we will be there on Sunday. is short-term, a bit urgent”, he stressed, recalling that he did not expect to take on this interim role.
“It wasn't planned. We work every day to be as efficient as possible. It wasn't my dream personally. On the other hand, it's a very enriching experience, which will make me even different. It will be beneficial. ” Returning in November 2023 to a club that he had led to victory in the Coupe de France in 2019, Julien Stéphan knew he was on borrowed time for several matches. The heavy slap suffered at Abbé-Deschamps, at a promoted class, was the last straw. “I had the chance to meet him yesterday, he was very respectful,” reported Sébastien Tambouret. “These words will remain between him and me, it was very good. It was a pleasure to meet him. I respect him a lot. He experienced this situation and his words were very interesting.”
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Asked about the imminent arrival of Jorge Sampaoli, Sébastien Tambouret first tried to kick in with a big smile (“Is it official?”), before returning to their shared experience in Marseille. He managed the U19 Nationals of the Marseille club between 2020 and 2022, while the Argentinian was in charge of the first team from February 2021 to July 2022. “I did not work with Mr. Sampaoli”, however, clarified Sébastien Tambourine. “In Marseille it's very conditioned: professional structure, academy. Yes, I met him in Marseille, he left a good image there with strong convictions. That's it, I don't think he knows me. “
