Corriere dello Sport understands that the Serie A side are looking to bring in a new forward, perhaps as early as January. One player targeted is Lille OSC’s Jonathan David. The Canada international has begun the season well with LOSC, however, there are doubts about his future. Whilst talks about a contract extension have reportedly taken place, there is currently no agreement to extend the current deal, which expires at the end of the campaign. 

David is perhaps, therefore, a more realistic option if Juventus did into the market in the summer, however, if they were to do so in January, Stade Rennais’ Arnaud Kalimuendo would perhaps be a more likely option, as per Tuttosport. Thiago Motta is a fan of the France youth international and was already tracking him with a view to a move over the summer. 

Kalimuendo had been expected to leave Rennes in the summer before ultimately remaining in Brittany, but Juventus are now showing significant interest with talks underway between the player’s entourage and between the two clubs. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

It is not the first time that Stéphan’s future has been a topic. Even before the start of the season, reports surfaced suggesting that Rennes could make a managerial change. Ultimately, however, he remained in post. However, SRFC have had a sub-par start to the season. After the 2-1 defeat to Monaco, Rennes are 10th in Ligue 1 with just two wins in their first seven games. 

In a post-match press conference, attended by Get French Football News, Stéphan responded to a question about his future. “Pressure is permanent. It is inherent to the job,” he began. 

“We put ourselves under pressure every day. I am under pressure from day one until the last day that I do this job. The pressure is to keep this group moving in the right direction, to make it work, the encourage it when it deserves to be encouraged and that is the case this evening, or lecture them when they deserve it. For the rest, it depends on me. With the staff, we are giving everything to make this team progress. There is progress – we saw it tonight but it wasn’t enough to beat Monaco,” he added. At least for now, Stéphan doesn’t seem to think that his position is in immediate danger. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The day after club president Olivier Cloarec’s dismissal, Rennes hosted second-placed Monaco to climb up the Ligue 1 standings before the international break. Meanwhile, the Principality side could go top of the league before PSG’s trip to Nice. Following a pre-game tribute to Benjamin Bourigeaud, Rennes conceded right away with Thilo Kehrer heading in Eliesse Ben Seghir’s inswinging corner kick.

The visitors had little time to relish their lead, but little could they do to prevent Ludovic Blas from lashing a magnificent left-footed missile in Philipp Köhn’s top right corner. As they did against PSG last week at the Parc des Princes, the Bretons pressed high up the pitch, which exposed them to Monaco’s counter-attacks. The brilliant Ben Seghir threaded a delicate through-ball to Folarin Balogun, who outfoxed Leo Østigård before dinking past Steve Mandanda with a confident finish.

Rennes were statistically the most enterprising team in the first half, but Monaco’s ruthlessness and better individual quality made the difference. On a rain-soaked pitch, Rennes were more in control in the second half with Monaco players also feeling the strain of their midweek Champions League away game at Zagreb (2-2). But Julien Stéphan’s players were well too wasteful to threaten Köhn.

Despite the late introduction of marquee signing Jota, Rennes eventually conceded back-to-back Ligue 1 games and their fourth defeat in seven matches. With the international break looming and several changes of personnel afoot at the club, it might have been Stéphan’s final game in the Rennes dugout. As for Monaco, they remain unbeaten and are now top of the league before PSG’s trip to Nice.

Rennes players ratings

Steve Mandanda, 3

He conceded from Monaco’s first two shots on target and was uncomfortable through and through, lacking in authority in his penalty box and error-strewn in his distribution.

Alidu Seidu, 5

Leo Ostigard, 3

The former Napoli centre-back already had a torrid time last week dealing with Bradley Barcola and he disappointed again at home. He misplaced too many passes and was too easily beaten by Balogun for the centre-forward’s goal.

Mikayil Faye, 4

Hans Hateboer, 4

Azor Matusiwa, 5

Glen Kamara, 5

Adrien Truffert, 4

Ludovic Blas, 6

Arnaud Kalimuendo, 3

Expertly handled by Monaco’s three-man defense, he made little difference. Struck Köhn’s right post in the second half. Overall, not enough.

Albert Gronbaek, N/A

The Danish playmaker hobbled off the pitch before half-time, replaced by Algeria international Amine Gouiri.

Monaco players ratings

Philipp Köhn, 5

Wilfried Singo, 6

Thilo Kehrer, 6

Christian Mawissa, 5

Vanderson, 5

Lamine Camara, 6

Denis Zakaria, 6

The Switzerland international has arguably been so far the best overall Ligue 1 midfielder and he picked up where he left off in Brittany, winning the ball back numerous times, setting the press and dictating the pace of the game.

Kassoum Ouattara, 5

Takumi Minamino, 4

Folarin Balogun, 6

To his credit, the USMNT centre-forward made the most of the first clear goalscoring opportunity coming his way, which means he has now scored in Monaco’s last three league games. Other than that, he had a mostly unimpressive evening, until his replacement through injury.

Eliesse Ben Seghir, 7

The Morocco international shone through and was essential to his side’s victory, logging the assists for the visitors’ first two goals. He could also have had a goal to his name but his second-half curler could only find Mandanda’s crossbar. Replaced at the hour mark by Aleksandr Golovin.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval, reporting from Roazhon Park

Several summer recruits are expected to get the nod from Julien Stéphan to start against the Monégasques. Former FC Barcelona defender Mikayil Faye is in line for his first Ligue 1 start as the left-sided centre-back in a three-man defense. Former Leeds United midfielder Glen Kamara is expected to start in a double midfield pivot alongside Azor Matusiwa. Marquee signing Jota is not set to start with Rennes carefully monitoring his return to full-match fitness.

Rennes likely line-up v Monaco

Steve Mandanda; Alidu Seidu, Leo Ostigard, Mikayil Faye; Hans Hateboer, Azor Matusiwa, Glen Kamara, Adrien Truffert; Ludovic Blas, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Albert Gronbaek

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Amid torrential conditions, Monaco got a draw against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia in a game described as “demanding” by Adi Hütter. As a result, changes are expected against Rennes. Maghnes Akliouche is certain not to feature after being left out of the matchday squad, just as Takumi Minamino was the week before. 

Hütter has made either five or six changes in each of the past four Ligue 1 games. Folarin Balogun, on the bench in midweek, could be one of the players to return to the starting XI, whilst full-backs Cai Henrique and Vanderson could both drop to the bench. 

Monaco likely line-up v Rennes

Philipp Köhn; Kassoum Ouattara, Thilo Kehrer, Wilfried Singo, Jordan Teze; Lamine Camara, Denis Zakaria; Eliesse Ben Seghir, Takumi Minamino, Krépin Diatta; Folarin Balogun.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Cloarec arrived at Rennes in 2021, firstly as an assistant CEO to club president Nicolas Holveck, before being named interim president in 2022, replacing Holveck who stepped down for health reasons. Holveck sadly passed away this year.

The reasons behind Cloarec’s dismissal by the club’s owners – luxury mogul billionaire François Pinault and his son, François-Henri – remain unclear, although Get French Football News understands that Cloarec’s discretion regarding the club’s sporting struggles this season – three league losses in six games – and the domestic TV rights deal debacle might have led the owners to question his leadership qualities. “I would like to pay tribute to Olivier’s commitment and exemplary professionalism in serving Stade Rennais F.C. in a complex context”, François-Henri Pinault added in Rennes’ club statement.

The latter indicates that his successor will be tasked to “inspire a new dynamic of success for Stade Rennais F.C. in the short, medium and long term”, which means Cloarec was no longer seen as the right man to spearhead Rennes’ ambitions. “I’m delighted and proud to be joining Stade Rennais F.C.” says Arnaud Pouille. “I’m already 100% committed to the future of this prestigious club, and I’d like to thank François-Henri Pinault for his confidence. I’m convinced that Stade Rennais F.C. has everything it takes to assert its sporting ambitions in the coming national and European competitions.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

The change at the top of the hierarchy at Rennes is set to be confirmed soon, and it is a change that could yet have ramifications further down the pyramid, as alluded to by Ouest-France. Frederic Massara came in as sporting director in the summer, replacing now-OGC Nice SD Florian Maurice. It was the latter who appointed Julien Stéphan, bringing the former RC Strasbourg Alsace manager back to Britanny following the departure of Bruno Genesio last Autumn. 

Around the time of Massara’s appointment, there were already questions around Stéphan’s future. Les Rennais have not started the season convincingly. Stéphan’s side sit 10th in Ligue 1 with a record of two wins, one draw, and three losses. 

Foot Mercato now understands that the changes behind the scenes are threatening Stéphan’s position. Whilst the Rennes manager has some powerful backers internally at the club, questions are now being asked about the managerial position. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The publication understands that the decision to sack Cloarec has come from the owner, François-Henri Pinault. Cloarec arrived at Rennes back in 2021, firstly as an assistant CEO, before then being named interim president back in 2022. At the time, he replaced Nicolas Holveck, who stepped down for health reasons. 

The decision comes just before Rennes’ fixture against AS Monaco on Saturday, and the officialisation of the decision is expected soon. Pouille will take his place, according to the report from Ouest-France, which has since been confirmed by L’Équipe. He left Lens at the start of the summer, along with manager Franck Haise, due to a disagreement about the club’s direction under president Joseph Oughourlian. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

In the absence of key personnel with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Lucas Hernandez, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Marco Asensio and Gonçalo Ramos all missing out through injury, PSG head coach Luis Enrique had no choice but to field a heavily-changed side against Rennes, four days before a mouth-watering Champions League clash at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Les Parisiens thought they had clinched a third-minute opener with Marquinhos beating Steve Mandanda from close range. The Brazilian centre-back was offside after his fellow countryman Lucas Beraldo fed him. The hosts were on top of the proceedings with birthday boy João Neves – who turned 20 – pulling the strings in a deeper midfield role. Against his formative club, Ousmane Dembélé proved particularly wasteful, missing two clear goalscoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes. Achraf Hakimi rattled Mandanda’s crossbar following Bradley Barcola’s foray forward down the left.

The France international winger only needed one chance to find Mandanda’s net with a brilliant right-footed curling effort following a fast counter-attack engineered by Neves and Dembélé. A deserved lead considering Rennes were on the back foot from the get-go. Paris could even have had a bigger lead had they made the most of the visitors’ gaps at the back.

The second half started like the first one, with PSG denied a goal. Hakimi lashed a perfect outside-of-the-boot finish to beat Mandanda, but the Morocco right-back was offside. It was only a matter of time before PSG got their second of the night. Barcola went close to replicating his opener, but this time, his curling effort struck Mandanda’s left post for the unmarked Kang-In Lee to head home.

Troubles deepened for Rennes when substitute Mikayil Faye clumsily lost the ball in midfield, which allowed Lee to release Hakimi, whose cross found the onrushing Barcola for the latter to complete his brace. Les Parisiens‘ night could have been perfect had Lucas Beraldo not handed Hans Hateboer’s header. The referee pointed to the spot and Arnaud Kalimuendo coolly dispatched past Matvey Safonov. The Russian goalkeeper had a few tense moments when PSG loosened his grip, but he showed a strong hand to deny Albert Grønbæk.

Rennes thought they had reduced the deficit again after Alidu Seidu rifled home from a tight angle, but the right-back was fouled for a handball. Luis Enrique, who heavily rotated his side in the second half in preparation for the Arsenal game on Tuesday, cut an agitated figure on the touchline, seeing his side too easily outmuscled by Rennes in the dying minutes. Eventually, PSG claimed a fifth win in six Ligue 1 games. As for the Bretons, they will fall in the lower half of the standings after conceding a third league defeat. All eyes are on the Emirates Stadium now for PSG.

PSG players ratings

Matvey Safonov, 5

Achraf Hakimi, 6

Marquinhos, 6

Willian Pacho, 6

Lucas Beraldo, 3

The Brazilian centre-back had a nervy start in dealing with Ludovic Blas on PSG’s left side. He stepped up with some important blocks but he proved a liability in the last 15 minutes. He cost his side a penalty and was lucky to see Alidu Seidu’s goal being disallowed.

João Neves, 7

On his 20th birthday, the Sporting CP youth product put in another excellent midfield shift, dictating the play from deep with precise and forward-oriented passes. Acquiring his services for the same amount (€60m) they sold Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United looks like an incredible piece of shrewd business from the Ligue 1 champions.

Fabian Ruiz, 5

Warren Zaïre-Emery, 4

Ousmane Dembélé, 5

A trademark Dembélé game. The Rennes academy graduate proved hilariously wasteful upfront in between some genuine moments of pure class and pace. To his credit, he assisted Barcola courtesy of a burst of coordinated pressing with Neves.

Kang-in Lee, 7

In an unfamiliar centre-forward role, the South Korea international proved a reliable outlet for his teammates thanks to his excellent technique and hold-up play. He doubled his side’s lead in lunging himself to head home Barcola’s post-bound shot.

Bradley Barcola, 8

With Ramos and Kolo Muani absent, the speedy PSG winger took matters into his own hands with aplomb and ruthlessness. The France international scored a brilliant curler as well as a poacher’s finish from close range and was essential to Kang-In Lee’s goal. Barcola now tops Ligue 1’s goalscoring charts with six strikes to his name.

Selected Rennes players ratings

The Portuguese winger, signed from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad over the summer, is recovering from a minor muscle injury. However, in better news for Julien Stéphan, Glen Kamara, absent from last weekend’s 1-1 draw against RC Lens for personal reasons, is once again available, however, he may not start over Azor Matusiwa or Baptiste Santamaria. 

Carlos Andres Gomez has also recovered from injury and can once again compete for a place in the starting XI. However, given Albert Gronbaek’s and Ludovic Blas’ strong form, he is unlikely to slot into Rennes’ starting XI. Amine Gouiri is expected to be given the nod ahead of Arnaud Kalimuendo up front.

Rennes likely lineup v PSG

Steve Mandanda; Alidu Seidu, Christopher Wooh, Leo Ostigard; Adrien Truffert, Baptiste Santamaria, Azor Matusiwa, Lorenz Assignon; Albert Gronbaek, Amine Gouiri, Ludovic Blas. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle