Julien Stéphan’s update on his relations with Hatem Ben Arfa and Olivier Létang

“These last matches allow me to move forward on my journey for next season. I am oriented by the game. I don’t take pleasure and we have to be guided by that. What we are offered is limited, so it guides my choice. “ A few minutes after the draw obtained by Stade Rennais against a Guingamp (1-1) last May, Hatem Ben Arfa caused a gigantic outcry with his rowdy statements. A feeling that was addressed directly to his coach of the time Julien Stéphan. A media outing that had then shaken the Breton club internally.

Stéphan was particularly surprised by the silence of his management on this subject. A few weeks later, Ben Arfa will finally leave Brittany after a short season spent in the Rennes jersey and a French Cup won against PSG. Since then, water has flowed under the bridge, and Stade Rennais is doing wonderfully. Third before the interruption of the championship following the coronavirus pandemic, Rennes has a vivid dream of the Champions League. Invited in the Evening Team, the Breton technician approached with a certain frankness his relation with Hatem Ben Arfa.

Julien Stéphan analyzes his collaborations with Ben Arfa and Létang

A player of sufficient importance in his eyes to shape his eleven around him. And if the romance between the two parties came to an abrupt end, the SRFC coach retains no bitterness over his collaboration with the former Parisian. “I had no problem with Hatem Ben Arfa. Quite the contrary. When I took over the team, he didn’t play much. I made it a central part of the team. He played all the matches. He felt that he should give another direction to his career and he made a statement to that effect. I have very fond memories of our collaboration, “ explains Guy Stéphan’s son. The latter also took the opportunity to discuss the incredible eviction of Olivier Létang from the presidency of Stade Rennais. If the differences of opinion between the two men were multiple, Julien Stéphan in no way demanded the departure of its president.

“There can always be a few more complicated moments between a president, a sports director and a coach. There are many false things that have been said following the resignation of President Létang. There is a shareholder at Stade Rennais. A shareholder who has been there for twenty years and who has made a decision that must be respected. I have been given far more power than I have, “ thus estimates the Breton coach. Completely fulfilled on the Rennes bench despite some areas of turbulence, the main protagonist hopes to continue the adventure in Brittany. “The results have been positive from the start. I know this is a difficult job, an exciting job, but there is no reason for me to leave the club. “ Especially when qualifying for the next Champions League …

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