Jorge Sampaoli on joining Rennes as head coach: “I’m a great admirer of Ligue 1.” | OneFootball

Jorge Sampaoli faced the media this Tuesday at Roazhon Park for the first time as Rennes head coach. The Argentine manager has signed an 18-month contract with the struggling Ligue 1 outfit. Rennes, who aimed at European qualification at the start of the campaign, are deep in the bottom half of the standings in 13th place with only a two-point margin on second-to-last Le Havre.

In a press conference attended by Get French Football News, Sampaoli spoke of his enthusiasm to join Stade Rennais, a “great club“. “It’s about developing a constructive project in a country I know and love.” It is a return to France for the former Chile and Argentina manager. Sampaoli replaced André Villas-Boas in Marseille in 2021. For his first full season as head of Les Phocéens, he finished second, behind PSG, before resigning in the summer of 2022. “I’m a great admirer of Ligue 1. After Marseille, I’ve continued to watch it. I love how teams operate in transitions. The best players in the world come from France and Brazil.“

Regarding Rennes’ poor form this campaign, the 64-year-old Sampaoli has discussed his priorities to turn the club’s fortunes around. “We are in a situation that is not ideal and that will have to be resolved as quickly as possible. It is important to take a new turn. This is a new step that will require a lot of work.”, Sampaoli said. “The priority is to know the team, to organize it better, to ensure that we develop a common playing identity, and to regain confidence.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval