Alban Gréget, Chairman of the Board of Directors :
« First of all, I'd like to thank Olivier Cloarec for all the work he's done at the club over the last three and a half years. We opted for internal continuity when Nicolas Holveck began to have health problems. Olivier rose to the challenge with great professionalism and commitment. Our warmest thanks go to him.
Arnaud is no stranger to top-level sport, with twenty-five years' experience in rugby and the last seven in football, including his time at Lens, where he worked his way up from Ligue 2 to the Champions League. He combines a wealth of experience and expertise that matches the club's project. His personality is committed, structured, serious and inspiring. Arnaud has a structured vision of things, particularly when it comes to supporting performance. Our plan remains the same: to return to Europe, pursue our training policy and strengthen our local roots. We are delighted to welcome him. »
Arnaud Pouille, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer :
His arrival :
« My first words go to the Pinault family, who have placed their trust in me. The directors have given me a very clear roadmap for the future of Stade Rennais F.C. It's a real source of pride to be joining this club. The Lens book is closing and I'm 100% Rennais, ready to take up the challenge. It's a challenge. If I've accepted it, it's because I feel I've got what it takes. We have to work together, we all have to pull in the same direction. That's where performance comes from, if it's well organised. It has to be sustainable. I know what I'm getting into, I know that there has been performance here, and I salute all my predecessors for what has been done. It has to be sustainable over time. »
The missions :
« The first is training. The first is training. The first actions are to better understand the workings of the training centre, which has been at the forefront for a long time. I want to make sure that the club remains at the top in this area, and that it continues to build on what it has been doing for many years. Finally, Stade Rennais F.C. is the spearhead of Brittany and its mission is to make the people who come to Roazhon Park happy. »
His meeting with Julien Stéphan :
« I spent a lot of time with Julien. I knew of his expertise, which is well known in the industry. He's not satisfied with the current results, but he's constantly looking for solutions. He's trying to get the best out of his workforce. We need to create the conditions for better performance. »
The sporting situation :
« Je sais que le résultat n’est pas là et que c’est frustrant, mais il y avait beaucoup de mieux dans la volonté face à Monaco. Pour limiter les biais dans les jugements, au 21e siècle, il y a les datas. Elles disent que le groupe a fait beaucoup d’efforts. Il n’est pas récompensé mais il faut se projeter sur les rencontres à venir. Julien sait que la situation n’est pas facile mais je vous garantis qu’il y a de l’investissement à l’entraînement. J’ai la chance d’avoir mon bureau qui donne sur les terrains et je peux vous assurer que ça travaille beaucoup sur toutes les séances, il y a de l’intensité. »
His relationship with Frederic Massara :
« He's highly rated in European football. It's very rare for a club to have so many arrivals and departures. The club was at a turning point, but Frédéric took the bull by the horns. He was responsible for putting a group together, and I recognised his capacity for hard work. He's got a great football culture and he works well together. I know him well and I'm delighted to have him back at Rennes. »
