Expected in Rennes to succeed Julien Stéphan, Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli was seen in the stands of Roazhon Park this Sunday, during the Ligue 1 match against Toulouse. The former OM coach should sign his contract in the coming hours.
A first appearance… in the stands. If he will succeed Julien Stéphan as coach of Stade Rennes, it was among the spectators and not on the bench that Jorge Sampaoli was seen for the first time at Roazhon Park. The Argentine coach came to watch Rennes-Toulouse this Sunday and see his new club in action more closely.
The former OM coach arrived in France earlier today, and in Rennes early in the afternoon. The final details of the contract – which is expected to be signed on Monday – will be discussed face-to-face after the match against TFC. Sampaoli will come with three deputies and should be presented to the press on Tuesday.
>>> Rennes-Toulouse live
Jorge Sampaoli during Rennes-Toulouse on November 10, 2024 © Capture/DAZN
Details to be finalized
“We are in very advanced discussions with Jorge Sampaoli,” explained Frederic Massara, sports director of Stade Rennais, speaking to DAZN before the match. “Today he will attend the match and we expect that we will have news about him very quickly. We are close to being able to finalize the discussions, but let’s wait for the details.”
While waiting for his arrival to be made official, Sébastien Tambouret, coach of the reserve, took over as interim manager. “I have the mission to take the team from point A and bring it to point B. (…) We are in the short term, a bit in a hurry,” he explained in press conference Friday.
The two men had a common experience in Marseille. Tambouret managed the U19 Nationals of the Marseille club between 2020 and 2022, while the Argentinian was in charge of the first team from February 2021 to July 2022. “I did not work with Mr. Sampaoli”, however clarified Sébastien Tambourine. “In Marseille it’s very conditioned: professional structure, academy. Yes, I met him in Marseille, he left a good image there with strong convictions. But I don’t think he knows me.”
