By David Williams
Jordan James will be hoping a new manager will provide a fresh start at Rennes after a slow beginning to his career in French football.
Wales midfielder James – who is set to feature for Craig Bellamy’s side in Turkey this weekend – has made only three brief substitute appearances for Rennes since moving there from Birmingham City, and not played at all since September 21.
James rejected the chance to stay at Birmingham following their relegation to League One last season and instead headed to France, targeting the same success in the club game that he has enjoyed at international level.
It has not worked out so far, but the picture could change now that Rennes have named former Chile manager Jorge Sampaoli as their new coach to replace Frenchman Julien Stephan.
Craig Bellamy has described Jordan James’ summer switch to Rennes as a “smart move”, despite the Wales midfielder having not started once for the Ligue 1 clubhttps://t.co/fKq8DEEM1u
— Nation.Cymru (@NationCymru) November 10, 2024
Rennes sacked Stephan on Thursday after they won just three of their first 10 league games of the season.
They were then beaten 2-0 at home by Toulouse on Sunday under caretaker Sebastien Tambouret.
Argentine Sampaoli coached Chile between 2012-2016, winning the Copa America in 2015 and was named South American Coach of the Year that same year.
The 64-year-old has coached a host of high-profile teams including Sevilla, Olympique de Marseille and the Argentina national side. His latest stint came at Brazil’s Flamengo.
“Jorge and his staff have a clear vision of how a group should be structured, and the entire sports management team shares the same analysis of what we need to put in place,” CEO Arnaud Pouille said in a statement.
“A taste for hard work, a demand for effort, loyalty and respect for people and the institution.”
Rennes are 13th in the league with 11 points from 11 matches and next visit fourth-placed Lille on Nov. 24.
James will be hoping it wipes the slate clean as the 20-year-old has become a Wales regular – first under Rob Page and now Bellamy – since making his debut in March 2023, having already won 14 caps in developing an impressive midfield partnership alongside Ethan Ampadu.
“I’ve had little conversations with JJ,” said Wales boss Bellamy, who has included James in his squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Turkey and Iceland.
“It’s always difficult for a kid or anyone who moves to a different country. It was the same with myself (in Belgium) the first couple of months.
“You’re picking up the language, but it’s just a different way of doing things. Even simple things like the food.
“JJ is in that period where he’s still a young kid. But he’s at a really good football club that develop young players and progress them and I see it as a smart move.”
Wales Star Jordan James Completes £4m Move To France With Rennes
Bellamy had experience of Rennes during his spell as Vincent Kompany’s assistant at Anderlecht when their Belgium winger Jeremy Doku left for France in 2020.
Doku spent nearly three years in Brittany before joining Manchester City for £55.4million and has gone on to impress in the Premier League.
Bellamy said: “I spoke to Jeremy when he went there and it was a good move. All right, they paid £30million for an 18-year-old kid and we were never going to turn that down.
“But he got to play for Manchester City and that was the next progression for him to get there.
“I know JJ’s not getting game time right now, but in his future development this will be a really good period for him.
“I believe it will accelerate him and he’s going to be a beneficial player for Wales for a number of years.”