Jorge Sampaoli (foto: Getty Images)
Jorge Sampaoli is close to joining Rennes as head coach, with the French club hoping the fiery Argentine will revive their season and pull them away from relegation danger.
Jorge Sampaoli is close to making his return to European football, with sources indicating that Rennes is on the brink of appointing the fiery Argentine as their new head coach. This would mark Sampaoli's second stint in Ligue 1, after a memorable spell with Olympique de Marseille during the 2020-2021 season, where he led them to a second-place finish and made a lasting impression on French football.
Currently, Rennes finds itself languishing in the middle of the Ligue 1 table, alarmingly close to the relegation zone—just one point away, to be exact.
The club's management sees Sampaoli as the ideal spark to shake things up, bringing a new intensity and style that could lift the team out of their slump. Known for his passionate and sometimes controversial approach, Sampaoli has always had a knack for turning things around, and Rennes fans are hopeful he’ll inject the energy they desperately need.
At 64, Sampaoli shows no signs of slowing down. His trademark intensity on the sidelines remains as strong as ever, with his high-energy, pressing game style perfectly suited to galvanize a team in need of a wake-up call. Despite his history of clashes with management and players at previous clubs, Rennes’ board seems willing to roll the dice on the experienced Argentine, confident that his unique approach can push their talented squad to new heights.
Rennes’ roster, on paper, has the quality to be much higher in the standings. The hope is that Sampaoli’s arrival will unlock their potential, aligning the team’s performance with the club’s ambitions.
According to L’Equipe, an official announcement could be imminent, with the club eager to finalize the deal and get Sampaoli on the training ground as soon as possible. With Rennes’ season hanging in the balance, they can’t afford to waste time.