The mist no longer seems to want to leave Rennes, and like in a Stephen King novel, it seems that the phenomenon is also sticking to the coattails of a tough Stade Rennais.
This Wednesday, for the second day in a row, Julien Stéphan hosted the professional training session, in an atmosphere as lunar as ever.
The players, who are supposed to prepare for the Toulouse reception on Sunday (5 p.m.) at Roazhon Park, are not closed to what is said, written or whispered here and there. They all have friends, smartphones, everything they need to stay up to date with the news around their club. Curious (fortunately) to know who will be the one coaching them in the days to come.
They must ask themselves a thousand questions too, like the entire club environment. A first response – late from the outside – seemed in the cards: the dismissal of Stéphan, who according to our information was to be interviewed by his management.
Beye waiting…
To dismiss him, she will have to pay him significant compensation, since Stéphan was extended last March until 2026.
His deputy Denis Zanko could be called upon to take over in the interim. Possibly to Toulouse, in case the expected replacement has still not been named by then?
Every day is worth enough right now at the SRFC. Behind the scenes, maneuvers on all sides were in full swing this Wednesday, which added to the vagueness surrounding the identity of the future coach.
According to our information, the Habib Beye case, a lead announced on Tuesday in our columns, seemed advanced, at least until midday on Wednesday…
The former Red Star coach, in waiting, had already been quite close to signing for SRFC in November 2023 to succeed Bruno Genesio, under the former management of Florian Maurice/Olivier Cloarec.
He could commit to an eight-month freelance period, while waiting to see, and would not come alone, since Mathieu Le Scornet would accompany him in a probably renewed staff. Le Scornet, former assistant to… Stéphan in Rennes then in Strasbourg, was a recognized element of the Rennes training center, is familiar with the club's environment.
The Breton is currently completing his BEPF (professional coaching diploma) and would then leave his position as coach of the Strasbourg reserve to return home and assist Beye, with whom he spent part of his coaching training.
…Sampaoli, the big one
Case settled? Given the Rennes context, and the need for all parties to agree internally, it was necessary to maintain real caution. Because the management of the SRFC continued to explore other options at the same time.
Revealed Wednesday in our columns, the one leading to the Franco-Canadian Wilfried Nancy, under contract with Columbus Crew in the United States, reigning MLS champion, would have finally been ruled out.
The option of the Croatian Niko Kovac would also have been mentioned. Even more the track of the Argentinian Jorge Sampaoli (ex-OM)? Shrouded in mysteries, it did indeed exist, and in those around the club it was described as a big deal late last night.
This complex file, which would have been carried out underwater by the duo Arnaud Pouille – Frederic Massara, concerns an atypical character, the antithesis of house habits, who had been without a club since his departure from Flamengo (Brazil) last year.
It would respond to a certain internal desire to “shake the coconut palm”, but would include several questions subject to some disagreements within the SRFC, linked to the Sampaoli style, to the language (it is mainly Spanish-speaking), among others…
The path leading to Sergio Conceiçao, peddled by part of the Portuguese's entourage without us knowing whether Rennes had actually activated it, appeared to be hardly or not feasible.
Haise: “Leave me alone to work!” »
We know that Rennes president Arnaud Pouille, who has remained attached to Franck Haise since their Lens days, would welcome a new collaboration with the current Nice coach. “ I arrived four months ago, let me work quietlyreplied Haise this Wednesday, when asked about an interest from the SRFC. I feel good here, good with my players, my staff, we are in exchange with the management, let me work quietly! »
