Steve Mandanda set to leave Rennes this summer | OneFootball

According to a report from L’Équipe Stade Rennais will not extend the contract of Steve Mandanda (40), putting an end to his two-year spell in Brittany with his contract expiring in June. Mandanda, capped 35 times by Les Bleus, initially signed a two-year deal under then-sporting director Florian Maurice and head coach Bruno Genesio. He was brought in to succeed Alfred Gomis as the club’s No. 1 and quickly established himself as a reliable presence between the posts, adding leadership and experience to a young squad.In January 2024, Mandanda extended his stay by a further year, but this season saw a changing of the guard. The arrival of Brice Samba in the winter transfer window relegated Mandanda to a backup role. As Rennes began looking toward the future under Habib Beye, the former Marseille icon found himself increasingly sidelined.His departure also carries financial implications for the club. Mandanda was the third-highest earner in the Rennes squad, and the decision not to offer a new deal frees up a significant portion of the wage bill ahead of a likely summer rebuild.GFFN | George Boxall