Rouge et Noir News

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Mane Mane Mane
Young defender joins Rennes, but may be the club's only signing
by Didi Cedat, chief writer

Talented young defender Filippo Calixte Mane became the first, and potentially only, Stade Rennais signing ahead of the new FFO season.
The 19-year-old former Borussia Dortmund youngster has arrived at Roazhon Park as part of a new league initiative.
All FFO clubs were assigned a new young player ahead of the new season, and in Mane, Rennes appear to have picked up one of the better young players that had been available.
Pundits who have seen the Italian defender in action believe that despite his young age he is already capable of slotting comfortably into the Brittany side's first team next season.


Drew Hill welcomes new youngster Filippo Calixte Mane to the Breton club

While some clubs will see the new additions, which need to meet minimum minutes and cannot be sold for two seasons, as an unnecessary nuisance, Rennes manager Drew Hill was buzzing with his new addition:
"I was absolutely delighted when I saw that Mane was the player we would be getting.
"While we were not able to influence the process, of course we did out homework and my scouting team highlight Filippo as one of the top 5 prospects available.
"We've already had a chance to see him in training and we are very impressed with the lad.
"He looks older than 19 and he plays as if he is much older than 19.
"We already work with a small squad of players so, despite not wanting to put too much pressure on his shoulders, I would say that it will be long before Filippo find himself in the first team squad."
Any excitement about the arrival of Mane will have been tempered among the fan base by the radio silence around any other transfer activity for the side who last season struggled to 14th position, albeit in their first season at this level.
The past weeks have seen the Transfer Bonanza where FFO clubs splash their cash to improve their squad and build inevitable anticipation ahead of the new season.
However, for the Rouge et Noir faithful there has not even been the sniff of a rumour of new players which has caused some concern considering the club did not exactly set the league on fire with their performances last season.
When questioned on it, Hill tried to calm any fear among the fanbase: "We might not sign anybody and people should not be worried about that.
"I have seen some clubs make twenty transfers and then when you look at their squad it is hard to see where the improvement has been.
"Or if you rely on older players, you have to try and renew your squad every few seasons to remain competitive.
" That is not out model and while we made a few transfers last season in order to get the squad looking the way I wanted, that is not the plan this season.
"We have to give the players that we have time to develop. We have seen them improve since the start of last season and this season we will see if that translates into better results on the pitch.
"I'm not concerned at all, it is not something I prioritised in this season break, I am trusting the players we already have to produce the goods.
"Any funds which have been available we will put into our youth academy because in the long term this is how a club like ours can develop."

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[Guest]

Danze Academy
Club Legend Signs as Academy Chief
by Didi Cedat, chief writer

Stade Rennais have appointed club legend Romain Danze as manager of its academy program.
The Breton club's all-time leading appearance maker will now oversee the development of the next generation of the Rouge et Noir after signing a four-year contract as Academy Manager.
Manager Drew Hill has made no secret of his and the club's focus on investing in the academy setup, and employing a full-time academy manager is another step along that road.


Romain Danze (Right) welcomed back to the club new manager Drew Hill

Hill said: "This is one of the most important signings we could make.
"This club goes nowhere without a productive academy so it was an easy decision to employ somebody full time.
"When it comes to knowing what it takes to make it as a player at this club, who better than Romain.
"He stepped onto the pitch more than 350 times in a Rennes shirt, so there could be few people better for this job".
As well bringing Danze back to Roazhon Park, two new players have been added to the academy squad for the upcoming season.
At a cost of £16m, the additions did not come cheaply, but Danze himself explained that it will be money well spent.
"When I arrived here last week, there were only seven players in the academy program here and this is not enough.
"I called some of my contacts in the youth game in Brittany and there were two players which almost unanimously came up in discussions.
"In order to be able to sign more players inevitably there are extra costs involved, £16m in this case.
"Not just my salary but player wages, coaches, travel, equipment and training facilities to be able to cater for a World-class academy program.
"Our plan is to add two contracted players to the academy every season and my vision is to also have full time scouts identifying potential players in the meantime.
"So we can expect the academy program to use up significant amounts of the club's operating budget for years to come.
"With this I am confident that we can fulfil the full potential from these academy players, and when we do that will seem like small money.
"We do not have the financial muscle to buy a championship squad and there is no mechanism to scout cheap continental players and eventually sell them for big money.
"The only development option we have is to try and bring world class players through the academy that can take us up the leagues.
"The financial mistake would be not spending money on the academy."
The two new academy graduates have not yet been named by the club but will be added to the club's academy squad in the next few weeks ahead of the new season.
In addition to the academy acquisitions, Rennes have also employed new faces in the coaching. administration and media departments in an effort to improve both on and off the pitch this season.

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[Guest]

Captain Fantastic
Geoffrey Lembet continues as Rennes captain
by Didi Cedat, chief writer

Geoffrey Lembet will continue in his role as Stade Rennais captain for the upcoming FFO season.
The Breton club's fortunes improved last season after the 35-year-old goalkeeper was made captain midway through the season.
Manager Drew Hill will be hoping that connection continues into the new campaign.


Geoffrey Lembet became club captain at the half way stage of last season

Hill said: "Geoffrey was quite an obvious choice given what happened last season.
"We made a poor start to the season and it was the decision to give the armband to him mid-season which seemed to improve results.
"Geoffrey's individual performances improved noticeably and when you have a keeper on form it gives confidence to the rest of the team".
It represents quite a turnaround for the 35-year-old goalkeeper from the Central African Republic.
The experienced stopper was a confirmation email away from leaving the club shortly after Hill's arrival after a string of poor performances.
At the last moment, Hill had a change of heart, handed Lembet the captain's armband and the rest is history.
Lembet proved himself as one of the better keepers in the division and help Rennes improve their previously dismal league position and claim a 14th placed finish.
Hill added: "It's funny how things work out. I won't deny that at one stage I looked to sell him on.
"Geoffrey made it clear to me that he did not want to leave the club and after talking with Geoff (assistant coach Geoff Horsfield) we thought maybe making him captain would be a good step.
"It worked out well and we can only hope for more of the same this season.
"We have a very young squad and Geoffrey is only of only two regular starters over the age of 30.
"Young players need those experienced voices on the pitch to bring the best out of them.
"I am confident this will be a positive step."
Lembet is expected to remain the first choice goalkeeper at Rennes for the next couple of seasons.
Backup goalkeeper Mark Travers, despite a decent loan spell last season at Portsmouth, is not thought to be ready to oust the experienced African from the team.
There is a highly regarded goalkeeping prospect in the academy, but it should be two or three seasons before he is ready for first team action.

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[Guest]

Warm Welcome
Rennes squad travels to Egypt for warm weather training
by Didi Cedat, chief writer

Stade Rennais players returned to training last week and this week have flown to Egypt for a period of intense warm-weather training.
The squad, including new signing Filippo Mane, took part in a morning training session on Thursday at their Breton base before heading directly to Cairo.


Rennes players explore the sights of Cairo before heading to their intense training camp

After a short stay in the Egyptian capital the players headed to a newly-developed training complex in the coastal resort of Hurghada.
Players will spend a short period of time there, which will include a period of intense training followed by a behind-closed-doors friendly against another European club.
Many clubs in recent years have sought the advantage of training in warmer climates to prepare for the demands of a demanding European football campaign.
Manager Drew Hill was looking forward to the trip, and claims that it will not be a holiday.
"We are not coming here for a holiday, I would expect that the players have just had a well-deserved one.
"This is where the work starts and we will be putting together a demanding training schedule for the players.


Drew Hill busy preparing a 'demanding training schedule' for his players

"Due to the hot conditions they will have to work harder and that will bring cardio improvements which should give us an advantage in the early stages of the season.
"We don't want a repeat of last year where we made a terrible start to the season and went a long time without a win.
"I want the players to start with a flourish this season and this is part of the plan".
Last season Drew Hill's Rennes side looked woefully underprepared as they plummeted to the bottom of the table in the early stages of the season following a strong of defeats.
While the Welsh manager can claim not to be responsible having joined the club shortly before the first match of the season, he is still keen to learn from the negative experience of the previous campaign.

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[Guest]

Green Light in Amsterdam
Green Light, not Red Lights, in the Dutch capital as the new FFO season begins for Rennes
by Didi Cedat, chief writer

The new season of FFO finally gets under way with Stade Rennais beginning their campaign with a trip to Amsterdam to face Ajax.
The Frenchmen will be looking to make a good start to the season, after a disappointing beginning last time out.
Drew Hill's young squad travel in good spirits after enjoying a pre-season training camp in Egypt before a period of intense pre-season work to prepare for this game.


Rennes players explore the traditional sights of Netherlands, ahead of their crucial season opener against Ajax Amsterdam

Hill, whose main home base is just a few kilometres north of the Dutch capital, is hoping for a flying start.
"You cannot underestimate how important it is to get a good start to the season. He said.
"We need to get at least a win in the first week of the season, just to get that monkey off our backs and push on from there.
"Last season we made a terrible start and it started playing on the minds of the players. Criticism comes and some of the lads start to believe what was being written about them.
"We have worked hard in pre-season and we want to avoid that kind of start.
"If we can come to Amsterdam and get a result straight away, Confidence will really start to build then".


Drew Hill is confident his players are all pedalling in the right direction this season

If Hill's side are to start the season better than last, it will have to be done with largely the same group of players that ended last season.
Only one addition has been made the to squad, the arrival of young defender Filippo Mane to the ranks.
Some fans have been critical of the club's inaction in the transfer market, but Hill was upbeat.
"I believe in this group of players." Hill said.
"They are young lads and they need time to improve their game and then you will see the results on the pitch.
"Most of the players have already improved since this time last season and I expect that to be demonstrated on the pitch when we get going.
"We may have only one new player but he is a player who we would have spent big money on had he been available on the free market.
"There is reason to be optimistic about what this group can achieve."
Mane is expected to move straight into the Stade Rennais starting line up for the game against Ajax after impressing in a pre-season game against Egyptian club FC Zamalek.

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[Guest]

Bright Stars Shining
Gouri and Mane the highlights of middle of the road Rennes campaign.
by Didi Cedat, Chief Football Writer

Rennes manager Drew Hill has hailed the recent performances of striker Amine Gouiri and defender Fillipo Mane.
The Algerian-born French striker has struck 11 goals so far this season for the Red and Blacks and is by far and away the club's leading scorer.
Meanwhile rookie Mane is leading the club on most performance measures and has established himself as one of the first names on the Rennes teamsheet.
Gouri's performances, particularly in the last couple of weeks have dragged the French side away from the lower reaches of the table.
Gouiri netted five times in three games to begin an unbeaten run of four games for Rennes.


Amine Gouiri is on a hot run of form so far this season for mid-table Rennes

Hill said: "We have to talk about Gouiri, he is our shining light at the moment.
"We haven't made the best of starts and after a defeat to Shaktar we were rooted down at the bottom of the table.
"His performances after then have been pretty special and his goals have been vital."
Gouri scored twice against Benfica in round 11 as the Breton side played out an entertaining 5-3 victory and was on target again a few days later in a 2-0 home win against RB Salzburg.
"We were in big trouble at that stage but his goals were a big part in turning our form around.
"I have to admit that there were stages last season were I was pretty disappointed with his form.
"We worked a lot with him in training and I am pleased to see him kick on this season and show what he is capable of".
Gouiri's 11 goals see him as the club's top scorer but there is obvious concern that the next highest scorer is reserve striker Joaquin Correa.
Arnaud Kalimuendo was one of the stars of last season but has so far only scored twice, despite having 47 attempts at goal.
Understandably this has lead to calls for the 22-year-old striker to be dropped in favour of the more experienced and in-form Correa but for now Hill plans to keep faith with the misfiring Kalimuendo.
"Arnaud's form is a concern and it is right that you bring it up. We are working on it.
"He performed really well last season, so we know what he is capable of.
"He has lost some confidence along the way and we need to help him get that back.
"I understand the calls to drop him and give Correa more game time and that is an option.
"For now, I will keep faith with him because I am excited about what we could achieve if Arnaud and Amine are both in-form at the same time."
One of the players who has currently scored as many goals as Kalimuendo is new youth signing defender Mane who is enjoying an incredible breakthrough season for the French club.
The 19-year old Italian leads the club statics in tackles and impressively also contributes a number of key passes comparable with all of the club's midifield players.
He has also chipped in with 2 goals and Hill could not be more delighted with his initial progress.
"I am delighted with the lad" Hill said.
"It was always my plan to give him plenty of minutes to develop his game but I didn't imagine his progress would be this fast.
"He has already developed to the point where he is in the starting line up absolutely on merit because of what he gives to the team.
"This is what we are about at the moment, giving these young players a chance to develop and Pip (Mane) is really taking the chance that has been offered to him."
Club sources suggest that Mane has already seen his wages increase since the start of the season and that the club fully expect a battle to keep him at the club in a couple of seasons if his development continues at the current rate.

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[Guest]

Press-ing Matter
Drew Hill in hot water due to lack of Media
by Didi Cedat, Chief Football Writer

Stade Rennais are rumoured to be increasingly impatient with manager Drew Hill's lack of media involvement.
The Welshman, who is into his second season in charge of the Rouge et Noir, has angered club officials by regularly not giving his post match reactions and for not organising regular media days or cultivating good relationships with local media.
Clubs like Rennes are reliant on the income which can be generated from media exposure to meet monthly running costs.
Despite an opening to the season with plenty of talking points, the manager has not made himself available to the press to discuss hot topics.


Reporters are kept waiting for post match reactions from Hill

Hill has not given a post match reaction all season long or sent a member of coaching staff to react on his behalf.
As a result the coverage of the club over recent weeks has become increasingly negative, not helped by some disappointing performances on the pitch which the manager has not taken the time to defend.
Club sources suggest that the patience of club bosses has run out and that Hill has been forcefully reminded of his media duties.
Hill was not available to comment on whether such showdown talks had taken place but the club has assured that the media can expect more post match reactions from the Rennes manager in the coming weeks.

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Guess who's back?
Drew Hill's surprising return as Rennes manager
by Didi Cedat, chief football writer


Drew Hill has reappeared in charge of Stade Rennais in a surprise move one month after disappearing from club duties.
The French club has cited 'personal reasons' for the manager's absence at the time and refused to comment further on the matter.
That was until last week, when the club announced that Hill had 'returned to managerial duties with immediate effect' as preparations begin for a new FFO season.


Hill returns to the managerial hotseat at Rennes for another FFO EFL2 campaign

Assisstant manager Geoff Horsfield had stepped in as interim manager as the French side limped to another mid-table finish at the end of last season.
Both Horsfield and academy manager Romain Danze will remain in their roles and will once again work under Hill now that he has returned to duties. Hill was seen back at the Rennes' training ground this week and involved with the training sessions.
Many fans, and pundits, felt that Hill's absence was the reason that Rennes failed to make a late run into the EFL2 playoffs after a promising run of form in the middle of the season.
Speculation will of course continue over the reason for Hill's month-long absence from the club and the man himself offered little insight.
In a statement released by the club, Hill said: "It is my pleasure to return to managerial duties at this great football club.
"I know there will be many questions about where i have been over the past few weeks and why I was not in the dug out for the last matches of the season.
"There were reasons which I will not go into at this time but I have a great team of support staff and I knew that they would do a fine job of running things in my absence and they have done just that.
"I am coming back to the job refreshed and already excited about the job ahead in the coming years.
"Most importantly, I am looking forward to seeing you all again around the city and of course, supporting our team on matchdays".


One young fan was happy to see Hill return to the club

In the same official statement the club said: "We are delighted to announce that our manager Drew Hill will return to managerial duties with immediate effect.
"After taking a small sabbatical we are pleased that Hill is now ready to return to his role."

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