Jorge Sampaoli reaches agreement in principle to succeed Julien Stéphan at Rennes | OneFootball

Julien Stéphan is only just out of the door at Stade Rennais, however, the Breton club are close to naming his successor, according to a report from L’Équipe.

Hovering just one point above the relegation play-off spot, Rennes took the decision to sack Stéphan on Thursday, The decision came after just three wins in their first 10 games of the season. Last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to AJ Auxerre proved the final straw for Stéphan, whose second stint in charge at Rennes has come to an end, around one year after it started.

Former Olympique de Marseille manager Jorge Sampaoli has emerged as the outstanding favourite, and according to L’Équipe, Les Rennais are nearing an agreement with the Argentine. An agreement in principle has even been reached.

The deal, however, has not yet been completed. Sampaoli is the overwhelming favourite, but as of Wednesday night, the club were still in contact with former Red Star coach Habib Beye. The idea is to potentially have Sampaoli in place for Sunday’s match against Toulouse FC. Reserve manager Sébastien Tambouret is in charge in the interim.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle