Sergio Conceição and Habib Beye in the frame to replace Rennes head coach Julien Stéphan | OneFootball

Julien Stéphan has probably overseen his final Ligue 1 game as a Rennes head coach last Sunday with Les Rouge et Noir battered 4-0 against promoted side Auxerre. The Brittany outfit is expected to part ways with their head coach following a wretched start of the Ligue 1 season. Rennes have lost five of their first ten games and have drawn up a list of various replacements for Stéphan.

Rudi Garcia was seen as the favorite to replace Stéphan but RMC Sport pundit Daniel Riolo understands that the former Napoli and Lyon head coach won’t be Rennes’ next manager. Patrick Vieira has reportedly offered his services too.

According to Foot Mercato, former FC Porto manager Sergio Conceição would be interested in filling Rennes’ expected managerial vacancy. The former Portugal international is no stranger to Ligue 1. He previously coached Nantes and his success with the Loire-Atlantique side put him in the spotlight to manage his childhood club – FC Porto – with which he won three league titles.

However, bringing Conceição certainly won’t come cheap, despite Rennes’ means – the club is owned by luxury mogul billionaire François Pinault – and the club would also need to pay Stéphan his severance fees. The son of France deputy head coach Guy Stéphan signed a contract extension in March.

France Bleu Armorique understands that Rennes are also considering the appointment of Habib Beye. Like Conceição, the former Senegal international is a free agent after leaving his position as Red Star manager following the club’s Ligue 2 promotion. Beye made no mystery he wanted to showcase his managerial skills higher up French football’s pyramid. The outlet understands that Mathieu Le Scornet – Stéphan’s former deputy coach at Rennes and Strasbourg – would accompany Beye should he be given the Rennes job. Rennes host Toulouse this Sunday.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval