For the second consecutive summer, Stade de Reims finds itself searching for a new manager. Reports from L’Équipe on Monday indicate that Samba Diawara will not be at the helm of the Champagne club for the 2025-26 season. The 47-year-old, born in Paris, was appointed as caretaker manager in early February after the departure of Luka Elsner.
During his interim period, Diawara guided Reims to the final of the Coupe de France, where they were ultimately defeated 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain. However, his performance in Ligue 1 was less successful, with the team securing just three victories during this second spell as manager.
Following their Coupe de France final loss, Reims suffered relegation to Ligue 2, losing the second leg of their playoff tie at home to FC Metz 3-1 after extra time. This relegation marks the first time the club, a former two-time European Cup finalist, will compete in the second tier since the 2017-18 campaign.
This past season concluded in a manner somewhat similar to the previous one for Diawara, who had also taken over from Will Still in the latter stages of the 2023-24 season. While he is confirmed not to be the head coach next season, there remains a possibility that Diawara could stay on the coaching staff, as his contract with the club extends until 2028.
The identity of Reims` next manager is currently unknown, but L’Équipe suggests that Philippe Montanier is the leading candidate. The 60-year-old former goalkeeper most recently managed Toulouse FC, where he led them to their first-ever Coupe de France triumph in the 2022-23 season.
Montanier was dismissed by Toulouse in June 2023, despite having previously guided them to the Ligue 2 title in the 2021-22 season. He has received the Ligue 2 Manager of the Season award on two previous occasions.
