Bruno Genesio’s tenure as Stade Rennais is coming to an end, according to a report from L’Equipe. The former Olympique Lyonnais manager, who replaced the resigning Julien Stéphan back in 2021, is set to hand over Rennes’ reins to Guy Stéphan’s son. Les Rouge et Noir are badly struggling this season, they only won two Ligue 1 games out of twelve, which is far from ideal with the club’s higher-ups targetting a podium finish. Rennes’ season has been hampered so far by catastrophic defensive mistakes, complacency, failure to fully integrate the club’s marquee signings and underwhelming performances from key players, such as Benjamin Bourigeaud, Amine Gouiri or Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Genesio was reportedly likely to remain at Rennes, despite being the only manager to have lost a Ligue 1 game against Olympique Lyonnais, just before the international break. However, the situation has changed in the last few days. Sources contacted by Get French Football News understand that Genesio did not envision himself anymore to lead the club and that the decision to depart was likely his after several rounds of talks with the club’s hierarchy this week. Genesio was under contract with the Brittany side until 2025.
Rennes will go full circle and appoint the man who resigned from his post before Genesio’s appointment: Julien Stéphan. Stéphan is the coach who brought back silverware to Rennes, winning the 2019 Coupe de France in a truly epic fashion against PSG in the final. Stéphan also led the club to the Champions League group stage for the first time ever, in 2020. He resigned the following year after a streak of bad results. The son of France’s national team assistant coach Guy Stéphan quickly bounced back and took over Strasbourg. Despite a remarkable first season with the Alsatians, he was sacked last January with the team headed for a relegation run-in. Get French Football News understand he’s likely to be officially appointed at the start of next week, upon signing a short-term deal, presumably until the end of the season. Stade Rennais will host Will Still’s Reims on Sunday 26 November for what will be Stéphan’s return at the Roazhon Park.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
