“We will see later about the ambitions”

Presentation day for Jorge Sampaoli. The day after his appointment on the Stade Rennais bench, the Argentine coach was presented to the press this Tuesday, November 12. The one who committed until 2026 was first of all grateful to the Rennes management. “I would like to express gratitude to the president for calling me for this challenge. It is important to take a new turn. It is a new step which will require a lot of work,” warned the former Chile coach and from Argentina.

“It’s really the diagnosis that will help resolve the situation”

The 64-year-old technician, who worked for Olympique de Marseille in 2021-2022, outlined his “first objective” at the head of the Rouge et Noir: the priority will be to “know the team, so that it is better organized , in order for us to find an identity while strengthening the gaming culture, the team must also regain confidence.” After 11 days, Rennes is in a very disappointing 13th place in the standings and remains with a defeat at Roazhon Park against Toulouse (0-2) under the eyes of… Jorge Sampaoli. Before “taking up this great challenge”, this “admirer of Ligue 1” also wants “to determine where the deterioration is. From today, we must transform this suffering into security. It is really the diagnosis which will allow to resolve the situation. The absence of internationals will delay the diagnosis, however, for those who are there, it will allow us to work with them.

For the moment, therefore, it is forbidden to make plans on the comet. “That would be my wish but the reality is that we will have to restore the team to the shape of a competitive team. We will see in a second step about the ambitions,” said Jorge Sampaoli. But one thing is still certain for the South American: “The idea is that the team manages to arouse emotions, enthusiasm and that this change leads us later to find ourselves in World Cups. Europe but I don't want the team to change because of me, they owe it to the city.” The first effects of the Sampaoli method can be verified from November 24, when Ligue 1 resumes. The Rouge et Noir are expected in Lille for the occasion.