Julien Stéphan played down suggestions that his position as Stade Rennais FC coach could be under threat after the Bretons latest disappointing result, a 2-1 defeat against OGC Nice.
“I understand that the question is being asked, but it’s not the time to answer it. We will let everything calm down again and then we will discuss it,” Stéphan said after Friday’s defeat, which was a fourth in a row for Rennes and left them without a win in seven games in all competitions.
Martin Terrier had brought Rennes back level before half-time at Roazhon Park, cancelling out Amine Gouiri’s penalty opener for the visitors, only for Flavius Daniliuc to head in Nice’s winner in the second half. Rennes are eighth, two points off Lens in fifth, before the rest of the weekend’s action.
“We didn’t start the game well, we were too deep,” Stéphan told Canal Plus. “In the second half we conceded a goal from a set-piece, we created few chances and the best one we did create was blocked by one of our own players.”
'Monstrous' Boudaoui
He added: “We are on a very bad run, that is the reality, but then I see the players, I see them working, their commitment. At the moment it’s not enough. The club has had exceptional results over the last two years, so I understand the disappointment and the criticism, but we just need to find the right solution. The club is more important than anything else.”
Meanwhile Nice coach Adrian Ursea was delighted with his team’s display as they recorded a rare and much-needed win. He described the performance of Algerian midfielder Hicham Boudaoui as “monstrous”.
“Beyond him, the whole team was really at it. They knew what they wanted and they did not panic. I enjoyed that. We are far from out of it though. This is just one step,” said the Romanian, whose side moved provisionally up to 12th.
