Stéphan dismissed by Rennes, Sampaoli on pole to succeed him

In the hot seat since the last heavy defeat against the promoted Auxerre (4-0), Julien Stéphan was dismissed by Stade Rennais. It is Jorge Sampaoli who is, according to our information, favorite to succeed him.

The ax has fallen. Increasingly threatened after the recent performances of Stade Rennais, the last defeat against AJ Auxerre (4-0) was the last straw. Julien Stéphan was laid off this Thursday. The coach led the training session in the morning before being received by the club management who informed him of this decision.

“Stade Rennais FC has initiated proceedings against its head coach Mr. Julien Stéphan and his assistants Mr. Denis Zanko and Bouziane Benaraïbi,” the club announced in a press release.

He will therefore not be on the Breton bench at Roazhon Park on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. to face Toulouse. Extended last March until 2026, Julien Stéphan should receive significant compensation.

Sampaoli favors

Who to succeed Julien Stéphan? Names were already circulating before his dismissal. According to our information, Jorge Sampaoli is favorite to take the Rennes bench. In the meantime, Stade Rennais clarified: “Pending the upcoming decision, the training of the professional team will be provided by Sébastien Tambouret (coach of the Pro2 group), assisted by Denis Arnaud (Director of the Academy) and Pierre-Alexandre Lelièvre (assistant coach of the Pro2 group).”