For several days, Stade Rennes has had a new coach at its head: Jorge Sampaoli. The sultry Argentine coach's mission is to straighten out a Breton team which is in great difficulty this season with a thirteenth place, two points behind the first relegation. Sampaoli also finds a certain Steve Mandanda, whom he had pushed towards the exit in 2022. Water has flowed under the bridges and Sampaoli was complimentary towards his captain.
In the summer of 2022, in the space of a week, Jorge Sampaoli et Steve Mandanda leave the club. During the Argentinian's only season at the head of loonthe current had not passed between the two men. Jorge Sampaoli had placed Mandanda on the bench to start there Pau Lopezwhich led to the departure of the Marseille legend from Rennes…
“It’s up to the players to choose the captain”
The return of Jorge Sampaoli in Ligue 1 has Rennes was therefore not good news for Steve Mandandathe Rennes captain. Moreover, at a press conference, Jorge Sampaoli was asked about his role: “ Regarding the captain, I especially want him to represent the team. For me, it's not even my role to choose the captain. It is up to the players to choose the captain. Regarding the captain, his role is above all to convey to me the feeling of the team, the perception of the team. »
“It’s a legend”
« Regarding Steve, he's someone I know very well. It's a legend, believes the former coach of loon. I think he's a good captain and he probably will be. Steve is a courageous goalkeeper, who has a good kicking game and who understands the game very well. Little by little we will instill these principles (goalkeeper-libero). In our conception of the game, the idea of having a high goalkeeper is quite important. Particularly to generate numerical superiorities. »
