‘Every season is a journey but this one is sh*t’ – Rennes president Arnaud Pouille lambasts players before Brittany Derby against Brest | OneFootball

Rennes president Arnaud Pouille has taken the gloves off and confronted Jorge Samapaoli’s players to face their responsibilities as Les Rouge et Noir‘s season spirals out of control. Rennes are 13th in the Ligue 1 standings and averaging one point per game, a far cry from their ambitions to qualify for Europe. On Wednesday, Rennes crashed out of the Coupe de France at the hands of Ligue 2 side Troyes. “We are in a broadly unacceptable situation“, said Pouille to Ouest-France. “We cannot be satisfied with what we see.“

As Rennes’ results have barely improved since the dismissal of head coach Julien Stéphan and the appointment of Sampaoli, Pouille pointed the finger at the players and at some of their on-pitch behaviors. “Results matter but not as much as a lack of collective state of mind, which is the essence of football. If you don’t run, with or without the ball, there’s nothing to hope for.“

Pouille added that he talked to the players after Thursday’s training session. “I told them to share that feeling of shame and that it was unacceptable, that every season is a journey but this one is shit for now.” The Rennes president underlines that football players are lucky because they always have an opportunity to redeem themselves. Said opportunity will be on Saturday as Rennes host bitter Brittany rivals Stade Brestois.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval