Julien Stéphan on his extension in Rennes: “A magnificent challenge”

All three of them came to clearly affirm their common desire to continue working together at Stade Rennais. This Wednesday, the press conference formalizing the extension of Julien Stéphan’s contract until 2026 brought together the entire staff of the club, from the coach to the sporting director, Florian Maurice, including president Olivier Cloarec. “This extension highlights the excellent work of Julien and his staff,” the latter began. They were able to restore confidence and life to the group. We wanted to extend it now to bring a little more serenity. Our desire is to build with Julien. To prepare for the end of the season, which will be exciting, but also for the next one and those to come. »

“With the staff, we are very happy to continue in this beautiful house,” continued Julien Stéphan (43 years old). I felt that there was a consensus, a common desire for us to continue at least over the next two seasons. Coaching Stade Rennais is a magnificent challenge, a fantastic opportunity. This is consistent with what we have been experiencing together for four and a half months. » Recalled by the shareholder on November 19 on the red and black bench after the resignation of Bruno Genesio, who succeeded him after his own resignation in March 2021, the former club trainer put the team back in the race for the title. Europe thanks to a fantastic first quarter of 2024: Rennes, which is still in the race in the Coupe de France, is the best team in L1 over the period.

“We find ourselves in agreement on almost all points. There are quite a few fantasies about my relationship with “Flo” (Maurice) »

By extending Julien Stéphan until 2026, and even 2027 in the event of European qualification in 2025 and 2026, Stade Rennais is renewing a trio, recalled the coach, who included in his thanks the shareholder, François Pinault, and his locker room: “We find ourselves in agreement on almost all points. There are quite a few fantasies about my relationship with “Flo” (Maurice). But there’s no problem, we get along very well. I have read and heard a lot of things that are not true about this. I am a coach, the coach must train the team. Everyone has their role, everyone has their job. Ultimately, it is not the coach who is responsible for recruitment, it is very fluid and very transparent. »

“I suffered a bit of the same thing when it was claimed that I had problems with Bruno (Genesio), said the sports director. The last four months have been very fluid, we are employees of Stade Rennes, we are here to work together. And what’s more, with Julien, we have the same footballing ideas. »