Strasbourg (AFP)
The former Rennes coach Julien Stéphan signed on Friday with Strasbourg where he will succeed Thierry Laurey, who came to the end of his contract and left free by his leaders after having obtained a fourth straight maintenance in Ligue 1, announced the Alsatian club.
"The Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace and Julien Stéphan have agreed to a three-year contract," Racing said in a brief statement.
Julien Stephan, 40, previously managed Stade Rennes between December 2018 and last March, when he resigned from his post after a series of poor results.
He notably led the Breton club to its first participation in the Champions League this season, after its 3rd place last year in a championship interrupted by the health crisis.
Rennes, however, did not shine in C1 where it obtained only a draw for five defeats.
Guy Stéphan's son, Didier Deschamps 'assistant in the French team, also allowed the Rouge et Noir to win the Coupe de France in 2019 against Paris SG, Stade Rennes' first title since 1971.
# photo1
Julien Stéphan had also carried the club until the round of 16 of the Europa League in 2019 where he was eliminated by Arsenal.
In Strasbourg, the one who spent nine seasons in Rennes, from the under-17s, to the reserve team and to the professionals, succeeds Thierry Laurey, who announced his departure at the beginning of the week after five seasons at the head of the Alsatian team.
"A cycle is coming to an end," noted Racing President Marc Keller.
Strasbourg finished 15th in the championship and only validated its maintenance on the very last day.
© 2021 AFP