Ligue 1: Strasbourg dismisses Julien Stéphan

No one knows what will happen to Racing Club de Strasbourg at the end of the season, 19th and penultimate in Ligue 1 at the halfway point, what is more during this season with four relegations... But whatever happens, it will in any case be without his trainer Julien Stéphan.

The young Racing coach, 42, under contract until June 2024, was indeed laid off as a precaution by the Strasbourg club on Monday morning, which leaves little doubt about the outcome: a departure from Stéphan and the arrival of a new coach, eventually.

The President

of Racing, Marc Keller, notified Julien Stéphan, coach of the professional team, of his layoff as a precaution this morning.

The interim will be provided today and until further notice by Mathieu Le Scornet ⤵️

— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (@RCSA) January 9, 2023

The Strasbourg club has published a press release stating that the interim will be provided “until further notice” by Mathieu Le Scornet, current assistant coach of Stéphan.

Penultimate in Ligue 1 four points behind Ajaccio - 16th and first non-relegation - with only one success to their name this season (in Angers) and in particular no victory in their emblematic stadium of La Meinau, the Alsatian club was eliminated Friday evening from the Coupe de France by SCO Angers 0-0, 4-5 tab, at the stage of the 32nd finals.

Sixth in Ligue 1 last season

Son of Guy, assistant to Didier Deschamps in the national team, Julien Stéphan Julien had previously coached Rennes, from December 2018 to March 2021. He left the Breton club on his own after a series of poor results.

He won the Coupe de France in 2019 with Stade Rennes.

For his first season in Alsace during the previous exercise, Stéphan had hoisted Racing to 6th place in Ligue 1, missing a European qualification by very little.

But this season, between failed transfer window, injuries and wear and tear on several elements, Strasbourg has never managed to take off.

After having maintained its confidence in Stéphan for a long time, the club chaired by Marc Keller finally decided on a drastic measure.

Halfway through, Guy Stéphan is already the 8th Ligue 1 coach sacked this season.

Strasbourg sees two difficult meetings looming, with the reception of Lens (2nd) on Wednesday and a trip to Lyon (8th) on Saturday.