The day after the formalization of his arrival on the bench of Stade Rennais, with a contract running until June 2026, Jorge Sampaoli was officially presented to the press this Tuesday, November 12.
The Argentine technician, who witnessed the rout of the Rouge et Noir against Toulouse (0-2) on Sunday, claims to have grasped the scale of his task to restore the situation of the SRFC, currently 13e of Ligue 1, with only one point ahead of the play-off place.
Why did you agree to join Stade Rennais?
Firstly because it is a big club, which gives me the opportunity to lead a project and take steps. And because it was about building something in a country where I already spent a year and a half, in another club, and which I really like.
Rennes is currently 13e of Ligue 1, with a fairly worrying level of play. What will be your priorities to restore the situation?
The first objectives are real knowledge of the team and its organization. We are going to try to have a much more organized team, to achieve a collective functioning that allows us to develop our own identity, with a gaming culture. And that at the same time, the team finds the confidence necessary to succeed in get out of this uncomfortable situation.
You attended the reception in Toulouse. What lessons did you learn from it?
We saw a team which, logically, with the transition between two coaches… It had to win and it did not succeed. But I believe that with a new methodology, new ideas, from now on, we will be able to establish a diagnosis, which will allow us to resolve this complicated situation psychologically, football-wise and even physically. So that the team has, in the short term, better answers than those it had on Sunday.
“In times of crisis, you have to hit the mark”
Did this match not make you want to turn around?
No, no, no, I'm very excited to be here (laughing)! I have a great challenge ahead of me. And I don't just analyze the team on Sunday's match. With my technical staff, we have seen a lot of matches and analyzed a lot of different moments, whether in collective or individual play. We have a clear enough knowledge of the team to approach the next match. We know that we now have time to spend with the players to develop the idea that I have in terms of the game, and we hope that we will quickly have buy-in from the players.
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You had already come to Roazhon Park with OM, what memories did you have of it?
At that time (in 2022), Rennes was in another shape. We had heard a lot about the fervor of the people, their enthusiasm, the joy of the stadium. We, with Marseille, didn't really have our best afternoon (2-0 victory for Rennes).
What style of play do you want to implement in Rennes?
First, we must understand that we must identify the real problem of the team. And then, gradually, give him back his confidence so that she can succeed in transforming him in the short term on the ground.
In the current situation, isn't the priority ultimately to work on the mental aspect with the group?
Yes. In times of crisis, you have to hit the right note. We see a team that is suffering from not being able to achieve its objectives, and I must help this suffering transform into confidence. Our job is there: to consolidate a group that feels more comfortable on the pitch, that can play more energetically.
Re-entering the top 5 and qualifying the club for a European competition, is this the roadmap that we have set for you?
It might actually be what I’m hoping for! But the team must already succeed in being a team, in playing as a team. Become competitive again. Afterwards, we will see what the ambitions can be. Today, the reality is that this team must improve a lot collectively.
“Sometimes my behavior is excessive, but it’s my competitive genes”
You have often been described as a coach with a volcanic character. Is this a caricature, or reality?
It would be nice if it was a caricature (smiles)! But I live, I feel football like that, and it's my way of transmitting it, of showing it. And to ensure that the team has all the cards in hand so as not to lose matches. Sometimes my behavior is excessive, but those are my competitive genes!
Rennes has more the image of a calm club, the opposite of your character. Have you spoken with the leaders about the fact that your arrival could create an electric shock?
I hope that we can once again become a team that provokes a lot of emotion, that inspires, that gives the feeling that at any time we can become champion or win Cups, be competitive in European competitions. I don't want this club to change because I'm coming, but because the city, the people deserve it.
You generally stay at a club for a short time. What is this due to?
Honestly, my level of requirements, after a certain time, has often become higher than that of the clubs in which I have been. I believe that my ambitions are excessive and sometimes unrealistic, unachievable for the clubs. I need to improve on this aspect.
