Why Did Sampaoli Return to Ligue 1? Here Are the Reasons
Jorge Sampaoli, former coach of Chile and Argentina, as well as ex-manager of Sevilla, Flamengo, and Marseille, explained his decision to return to Ligue 1 as the new head coach of Rennes by stating, "There is talent here since the best players in the world come from France and Brazil."
"I admire Ligue 1. I've continued watching it since I left Marseille in 2022. I like how the teams operate, their transitions. The French league keeps improving, and moreover, the best players in the world come from France and Brazil. There's plenty of talent," Sampaoli expressed during his presentation. It's worth noting that he has also managed teams like Santos and Atlético Mineiro.
At 64 years old, Sampaoli signed a contract for one and a half seasons, until June 2026, with Rennes, a mid-to-upper-table club owned by luxury magnate François Pinault. This year, Rennes is not competing in European tournaments and is currently sitting in 13th place in an 18-team league.
The coach, a known admirer of Marcelo Bielsa, was questioned about his tendency to stay for short periods at the clubs he manages (usually less than two seasons, with the only exception being the Chilean national team, where he spent four years between 2012 and 2016).
"My level of demand is often too high compared to the expectations of the clubs I've worked with. But I am aware that these ambitions are excessive and perhaps unattainable. It’s something I need to change. I have to improve this aspect if I want to stay longer at Rennes," he concluded.
