Habib Beye: The rescue operation at Stade Rennais continues

On January 30, 2025, Stade Rennais called upon Habib Beye to succeed Jorge Sampaoli after disappointing results in the French championship. This appointment came in the midst of a major sporting crisis for the Breton club, which was dangerously flirting with the relegation zone.

The collapse before Beye's arrival

When Habib Beye took the helm of Stade Rennais this winter, the club was navigating troubled waters. The Red and Blacks were sitting in 16th place in Ligue 1, in the playoff zone. The results were disastrous: only 17 points after 19 games, with 5 wins, 2 draws, and 12 losses. The management, having dismissed Julien Stéphan and then Jorge Sampaoli, placed their bets on the Senegalese coach to avoid the unthinkable: relegation. At 47, Beye was no novice in the coaching field. He had just achieved a remarkable feat with Red Star FC, propelling them from the third division (National Championship) to Ligue 2 before leaving the Parisian club.

A gradual and spectacular recovery

The initial results under Beye's leadership quickly showed a change in dynamics within the Rennes team. The Senegalese coach immediately made his mark. In his first outing on February 2, the Red and Blacks won 1-0 against Strasbourg. On February 8, Stade Rennais followed up with a 2-0 win against AS Saint-Etienne.

These two victories allowed Rennes to exit the danger zone and breathe a little easier. This promising start bolstered confidence within the group. The players rediscovered cohesion. The Red and Blacks stumbled against Lille (0-2) but quickly recovered. Habib Beye and Rennes followed up with two more victories against Reims (1-0) and Montpellier (4-0).

11 matches, 7 wins for Habib Beye's Stade Rennais

In eleven matches, the Senegalese coach amassed 21 points (7 wins, 4 losses). This record includes a decisive victory in the Rennes derby against Nantes (2-1) on April 18, marked by the emergence of young Kader Meïté (17 years old). From 16th place, Habib Beye propelled Rennes to 10th place in Ligue 1 after the 30th matchday.

The future uncertain

While survival is almost assured, Beye refuses to speculate about his future. "Today, I don't consider myself in a discussion with the club regarding my future. We'll see on May 18, that's how we've agreed with Mr. Pinault, with the president, the sporting director, my entourage, and myself," explained the Rennes coach.

The club, impressed, is already working on the transfer market, with Senegalese defender Ilay Camara in their sights. One thing is certain: the former Red Star boss has succeeded in his gamble. Rennes, adrift in January, now sails in calm waters.

Lydiane N'Po |

Editorfr, en

Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.