Relegated to the bench by Jorge Sampaoli at OM in 2021-2022, Steve Mandanda finds the Argentine technician in Rennes. But this time, the 39-year-old goalkeeper should not be a victim of his coach’s choices, at least not in the short term.
Thirteenth in Ligue 1 after eleven days, Stade Rennais absolutely must bounce back. The Breton club has only won three times in the championship for three and a half months, a relegation course which can no longer continue. The Rennes leaders are well aware of this and to get out of the crisis, they call on Jorge Sampaoli, who succeeded Julien Stéphan. In Brittany, the former coach of Olympique de Marseille found an old acquaintance in the person of Steve Mandanda. At first glance, the appointment of the fiery Argentine coach is not the best news for the 39-year-old goalkeeper, who lost his starting place at OM by Jorge Sampaoli.
Sampaoli in shock, Rennes has no team
— Foot01.com (@Foot01_com) November 20, 2024
But according to information from The Teamthe former coach of Chile and Argentina should not be so radical with Steve Mandanda in Rennes. Firstly because in Marseille, it was above all his goalkeeping coach Jon Pascua, who had close links with Pau Lopez, who had campaigned for the sidelining of Steve Mandanda. However, this goalkeeper coach did not follow Sampaoli to Rennes, where Olivier Sorin retains his position. Furthermore, the situation in Rennes has nothing to do with that of OM at the time.
In crisis, the Breton club must rely on its rare leaders and captain Steve Mandanda is undoubtedly one of them. Jorge Sampaoli is aware of this and knows that he will have to count on the experience of the world champion. Mandanda will therefore start for the upcoming matches, and he has every interest in shining. Because the new Rennes coach gives himself “a few matches to get an idea of the positions where he will ask for reinforcements from his management in the January transfer window” et “this includes the goalkeeper position”. Suffice to say that Mandanda is not leaving with an automatic handicap, but nothing will be forgiven if he does not perform well.
**Given Mandanda’s age and recent injury history, how realistic are his chances of reclaiming the starting goalkeeper position under Sampaoli’s demanding style, particularly considering the possibility of a January transfer window signing?**
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: Mandanda’s Future at Rennes
**Welcome to World Today News. Today, we have a special interview with two experts to discuss the recent appointment of Jorge Sampaoli at Stade Rennais and the implications for goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.**
**Our guests are:**
* **[Guest 1 Name & Expertise]:** [e.g., Former Professional Goalkeeper and Analyst]
* **[Guest 2 Name & Expertise]:** [e.g., Football Journalist specializing in Ligue 1]
**Let’s begin by discussing the context of Sampaoli’s arrival.**
**(Section 1: Sampaoli’s Arrival and Rennes’ Situation)**
* **Host:** Rennes is currently facing a challenging period. How critical is the situation for the club, and what kind of pressure will Sampaoli be under?
* **Host:** Sampaoli has a reputation for being a demanding manager. How might his intense style impact the Rennes squad, particularly players like Mandanda who are accustomed to different approaches?
**(Section 2: The Mandanda Factor)**
* **Host:** The article mentions Mandanda’s previous experience with Sampaoli at Marseille. Given their history, what are the potential challenges and opportunities for Mandanda under Sampaoli at Rennes?
* **Guest 1:** From a goalkeeper’s perspective, how might Mandanda approach this new situation? What factors will he need to consider to succeed in regaining and maintaining his starting position?
**(Section 3: The Goalkeeping Situation and Sampaoli’s Plans)**
* **Host:** The article suggests that Sampaoli is open to evaluating the goalkeeper position. What are the factors he might be considering when assessing Mandanda and potential replacements in the January transfer window?
* **Guest 2:** How significant is the influence of Olivier Sorin, the Rennes goalkeeper coach, in this situation? How might his presence impact Sampaoli’s decision-making regarding Mandanda?
* **Host:** What are the potential consequences for Mandanda if he doesn’t perform to expectations under Sampaoli?
**(Section 4: Looking Ahead)**
* **Host:** What are your predictions for Mandanda’s future at Rennes under Sampaoli? What are the key factors that will determine his success?
* **Host:** Looking beyond Mandanda, what are the broader implications of Sampaoli’s arrival for Rennes’ future performance and prospects in Ligue 1?
**Thank you to our expert guests for providing their insights. This is certainly a fascinating situation to follow, and we will be closely watching how it develops. Stay tuned to World Today News for further updates on this story.**
