The big maneuvers continue at Stade Rennais. With the arrival of Brice Samba and the downgrading of Steve Mandanda, Jorge Sampaoli has chosen his new captain.
Since November 24, 2023, Steve Mandanda has worn the captain’s armband of Stade Rennais. With 553 matches played in the elite of French football, the iconic goalkeeper of Olympique de Marseille and then Rennes is fast approaching his 40th birthday. An indisputable starter and undisputed leader of the locker room, he saw his position weaken day after day with the arrival of Jorge Sampaoli on the bench. The recent recruitment of Brice Samba to replace him as goalkeeper definitively closes the doors to the first team. At least, as a starter. His downgrading logically leads to a passing of the torch concerning the captain’s armband.
Mandanda downgraded, Truffert succeeds him
During his last press conference, on the sidelines of the looming clash against Olympique de Marseille, Jorge Sampaoli took the time to announce a new captain for Stade Rennais. Steve Mandanda downgraded, it is now Adrien Truffert who will wear the armband.
« I like those who show the way. Those who talk, not too much. The captain must be chosen by the players, not by the coach. Otherwise, I will be suspected of choosing a player who tells me everything. I have always said that the captain should be chosen democratically by his teammates. Elections? No, when I arrived, the captains chosen at the start of the year were Steve Mandanda, Baptiste Santamaria and Adrien Truffert. So, Adrien will continue. Unless the group manifests something else “, declared the Argentinian coach. Unless there is a change in the situation within the group, the left back trained at Stade Rennais will soon be rewarded for his investment within the club.
