It is a decision that questions. While Stade Rennais occupies a brilliant 3rd place in Ligue 1 (qualifier for the preliminary round of the Champions League), the Breton club - owned by François-Henri Pinault - announced this Friday the departure with immediate effect of its president Olivier Letang. The club made it official on its twitter account.
“With Olivier Létang, Stade Rennais has taken new steps in its progression. The European epic and the victory of the 2019 French Cup will be remembered. The club can rely on solid teams to continue the current season in the best conditions. According to our information, this surprise departure would come directly from the main shareholder François Pinault and would be linked to the arrival and the salary granted to the tri-color world champion Steven Nzonzi.
Best results for 50 years
Appointed on November 7, 2017 to replace outgoing President René Ruello, Olivier Létang (47), former player (1997-2004) and manager of the Stade de Reims (2006-2012) then also sports director of Paris Saint-Germain (2012- 2017), had enabled Breton training to obtain its best results for almost fifty years.
Rennes had, in fact, last year won the Coupe de France after a success in the final against PSG at the end of the penalty shootout and also lived a great adventure in the Europa League with a qualification in the 16th final against Betis Sevilla then elimination in the following round against Arsenal despite a clear success (3-1) in the first leg.
This year again, the results are looking good with this place on the Ligue 1 podium. Pending the appointment of the new director, Jacques Delanoë, current chairman of the board of directors, will assume these functions.