Presented to the press on Monday, Julien Stéphan, appointed coach of Rennes to replace Bruno Genesio, assured that there would be "no revolution" at the club, even if sporting director Florian Maurice could also leave soon. "I'm coming out of ten months of inactivity and when a coach comes out of ten months of inactivity, he's fresh, he's available, he's determined, he's motivated and that's what drives me today," said Stéphan, 43, who has been free since the end of his contrasting experience in Strasbourg at the beginning of 2023.

The coach returns to a club where he spent nine years, including more than two years at the head of the first team (between 2018 and 2021), which he had led to a coronation in the Coupe de France and a participation in the Champions League. They take over a Stade Rennais side that is not well started in the league (13th in Ligue 1), with only one point ahead of the play-off place, but well on its way to qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League.

"Initially, (the objective will be) to reverse the curve of results, try to restore everyone's confidence, improve the situation and regain consistency," he said. While he admitted that he "already had a little idea of how his team could evolve", the coach, who has signed until the end of the season, made it clear that there was "no revolution to be expected".

It's the return of Julien Stéphan to the Stade Rennais. The new #SRFC coach is presented to the press at Roazhon Park. President Olivier Cloarec is present. pic.twitter.com/W7Uj8nyZOT

— Clément Gavard (@Clem_Gavv) November 20, 2023

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Florian Maurice could also leave the club

The president, Olivier Cloarec, returned to the conditions of Bruno Genesio's departure, stressing that "it was not the position of the club at the base, clearly", but a wish of the technician. "There was a kind of wear and tear," the executive explained. He was honest enough to say that we needed enough energy (to get things back on track) and I think the batteries weren't sufficiently charged."

The manager also commented on the notable absence of Florian Maurice, the club's sporting director, who is very close to Genesio. "I'm not going to speak for Florian. If he's not present at the press conference today, it may mean that he's heading towards a departure," admitted Olivier Cloarec.

  • Ligue 1
  • Football
  • Sport
  • Julien Stéphan
  • Stade Rennais
  • Rennes
  • Ille-et-Vilaine
  • Brittany