For the second consecutive summer, Stade de Reims is in search of a new head coach.
According to reports from L`Équipe, Samba Diawara will not remain in charge of the Champagne club for the upcoming season (2024-25). The 47-year-old, born in Paris, was appointed as caretaker manager in early February after the dismissal of Luka Elsner.
During his time at the helm, Diawara guided the team to an appearance in the Coupe de France final, where they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. However, his spell overseeing Ligue 1 matches saw limited success, with Reims managing only three wins.
Following their loss in the Coupe de France final, Reims were relegated to Ligue 2. This came after losing the second leg of their play-off against FC Metz 3-1 in extra time at home. This marks the return of the former two-time European Cup finalists to the second tier since the 2017-18 campaign.
Although he will not continue as the main manager, Diawara, who took over during the latter part of the 2023-24 season, may still remain part of the coaching staff, as he is under contract with the club until 2028.
The identity of the next Reims manager remains uncertain, but L`Équipe suggests that Philippe Montanier is the leading candidate. The 60-year-old former goalkeeper most recently managed Toulouse FC, whom he led to victory in the Coupe de France in 2022-23, the first time in their history.
Montanier was sacked by Toulouse in June 2023. Prior to his Coupe de France success, he guided them to the Ligue 2 title in the 2021-22 season and received the Ligue 2 Manager of the Season award on two occasions.
