Kyogo Furuhashi’s move to Rennes has already taken an unexpected turn, with the French club sacking manager Jorge Sampaoli just three days after securing the Japanese forward from Celtic.
Kyogo completed his £10 million switch to Ligue 1 on Monday, but before even making his debut, the 30-year-old has seen the manager who signed him shown the door. Sampaoli’s dismissal adds an immediate layer of uncertainty to the striker’s new chapter in France, raising questions about how he will fit into the plans of whoever takes charge next.
While Kyogo’s decision to leave Celtic sparked debate among supporters, his representatives wouldn’t have anticipated Sampaoli departing so soon after the move was finalised. The Argentine, who took over at Rennes in November 2024, lasted less than four months in charge, with the club currently sitting 16th in Ligue 1—inside the relegation play-off places.
A Rennes statement read: “Jorge Sampaoli steps down as head coach of Stade Rennais F.C.
“By mutual agreement, Stade Rennais F.C. and Jorge Sampaoli, who held the position of head coach of the professional team, have ended their collaboration.
“Recognising his commitment and respecting his remarkable professional experience, Stade Rennais F.C. wishes Jorge Sampaoli all the best for the next stage of his career.”
Despite the managerial upheaval, Kyogo remains in contention to make his debut on Sunday when Rennes face Strasbourg at Roazhon Park. However, with an interim boss now in place and a permanent appointment still to be made, there’s a chance his game time could be impacted—something he never had to deal with during his three-and-a-half-year spell in Glasgow, where Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers provided stability.
For now, Kyogo will be focused on hitting the ground running in France, but the early chaos at Rennes is hardly the ideal start to life away from Celtic Park.
