Rolland Courbis joins Rennes | News

Rolland Courbis has been appointed as the brand new presidential adviser at Stade Rennais.

The former Marseille and Montpellier manager will help or 'aide' current club president, Rene Ruello.

However, Courbis has also outlined his intention to help out the under pressure first team coach, Philippe Montanier.

Courbis said that he "will do the maximum to help Philippe without going beyond my jurisdiction, which would weaken his authority" before proclaiming that he knows the players by a "professional obligation as opponents".

"I wouldn't do to Philippe what I wouldn't have liked to have happened to me." he continued.

Courbis to advise and not dictate

Since the appointment of Courbis, the Rennes fans have wondered what the job remit is for their new presidential adviser. Fortunately, Courbis did shed some light on this query.

The 62-year-old stated that he "will observe the training" and give his "point of view to Philippe, confidentially".

It would appear that Rolland Courbis has taken the reins in some form of Director of Football role, but the new man is adamant that he will not get involved in the team selection.

The Frenchman said that team selection "must be done by the person who is in direct contact with his players and not by an advisor."

Reiterating once again that he won't have a direct influence on the squad, the former Sochaux defender said that he "will help Philippe in hope to bring a little more, without interfering in his authority that he must have, in the interest of all" before the ex-Bordeaux manager called Rennes "a big club with a magnificent stadium and a fan base with potential".

Rennes currently sit eighth place in Ligue 1 and are only two points away from a European spot, however with only two wins at home this season, the manager Philippe Montanier is starting to lose support from the vocal fan base.

Nevertheless, Courbis is hopeful about this season for Rennes and is aspiring for a top table finish. Courbis said: "I think Rennes must be able to do better leave behind the seven or eight teams which say 'why not us?'."

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