Sébastien Tambouret should act as interim on Sunday during the reception in Toulouse, pending the probable arrival of Jorge Sampaoli.
This Friday, November 8, the reserve coach presented himself, alone, in front of the microphones during the pre-match press conference.
READ ALSO. Jorge Sampaoli gets closer, Stade Rennais completely changes culture
Are you surprised to be here?
I admit that it wasn't in the schedule planned at the start of the week (laughing). There, normally, I should be on the pitch to prepare for a match with the players from the Academy's Pro2 group (which will be led this weekend by Corentin Bataille, head of pre-training). Now there is a mission to do and it is a pleasure to be face to face with you.
What is this mission?
It’s going to be short term, that’s for sure (laughing). There is a mission entrusted to me, to take over, the team at point A and take it to point B. If it's a session, it will be a session. And if it's two sessions to win Sunday's match, it will be done by trying to get it to point B in the best possible way.
You don't know if you will be there against Toulouse?
We do everything as if that were the case. We prepare for the match as if we were there on Sunday. We're in the short term, it's an emergency mission with a match in two days. And we know that in two days, we have to do things right.
“Put the team in the best conditions”
Haven't had a session with the group yet?
For now, no. That's why it was put this Friday afternoon, to be able to take the elements, also take the time to organize well. And we will try to be as relevant as possible, to put the team in the best conditions.
What message to send to players?
First, meet them, which I haven't done yet. And then, I'm going to keep my first words for them.
You're not going to revolutionize everything?
There are landmarks, things. I saw them working on my floor, at my height. On the other hand, wanting to revolutionize, frankly no. They are professionals who want to win matches. We know the messages we want to send to them.
You will be with Denis Arnaud and Pierre-Alexandre Lelièvre, the rest of the staff is still there?
There is already operational staff present. We met them yesterday, the exchange went very well straight away. They prepared for Sunday's match, we are all in the same vision. You forgot Romain Dupont, the Academy goalkeeper coach. We need people we know in the operation.
This match against Toulouse will also be under pressure for the result…
For me, all matches are important (laughing), so I don't know that word. Finally, yes, it is important for the club. I read, I heard, I was in front of my TV last Sunday. It's annoying (sic), we don't like being like that. It's important for the players, for the club, for everyone. So obviously, that’s even more important for us.
“It’s up to us to be precise, impactful with the players…”
Any ideas for changes in sight?
I can't wait to be in the middle, to see with my eyes. When we are in another position, we can allow ourselves to see, to comment, to analyze in our own way. But when you're behind the curtain, there are lots of things. If choices are made, there are reasons. So I want to see it with my eyes, to go through the exchange with the staff and the players. And afterwards, I unfortunately know that I will have to make choices.
Were you able to speak with Julien Stéphan?
I had the chance to meet him yesterday, he was very polite and respectful. I respect him a lot. Our exchange remains between us. He also experienced this situation, that's why his words were interesting.
What stands out to you about the team’s face?
Like you, I have seen many faces. I'm just going into their story, it's going to be very brief, and I'm going to ask them to engage in it. It will be up to us to be precise, impactful, for that moment. Toulouse is a team in good shape, it will be a great challenge. We have some ideas…
What are you expecting in terms of atmosphere on Sunday?
The fans are not disoriented, they love their club, they too want it to gain momentum, to sparkle, to win matches. We are all the same. We all have the same goal. We will have to take them with our heart, our intentions.
A dream of being on an L1 bench?
It wasn't my dream, I had already said that when I arrived here. On the other hand, it is a very enriching experience, which will make me feel different afterwards, compared to what I could still bring.
