Bruno Genesio, 54, is officially the new coach of Stade Rennais FC, after signing a contract that links him to the club through to June 2023, the club announced Thursday evening. He succeeds Julien Stéphan, who resigned on Monday.

"Stade Rennais FC are pleased to announce the arrival of Bruno Genesio at the head of the senior team," the club said in a statement. "He will be presented to the press at a press conference to be held on Friday 5 March at 14:00."

Second French club after OL

Genesio's name had been circulating ever since Stéphan's resignation on Monday and it was no surprise to see him take the job with the club - currently tenth in Ligue 1 Uber Eats despite a league high recruitment outlay by owners the Pinault family during the summer. A former midfielder, born in Lyon, Genesio notably coached OL for four years before a stint in China with Beijing Guoan (2019-2021).

His predecessor Julien Stéphan, appointed in December 2018, opted to throw in the towel after a 2-1 defeat against OGC Nice last Friday, which left Rennes with only one victory in ten matches 2021. Things went little better on Wednesday, when the side lost out 1-0 in Lyon.

As soon as Stéphan's resignation was announced, Stade Rennais were on the hunt for a successor, a man of experience both "capable of developing the game and trusting the youngsters from the academy," as profiled by former Lyon star Florian Maurice, Rennes' technical director.

Called upon to take over the vacant position left by Stéphan within a triumvirate also comprising Maurice and president Nicolas Holveck, Genesio now has roughly a week to instil some confidence in his side ahead of Round 29's visit of in-form Strasbourg.