Stade Rennais coach Jorge Sampaoli expressed frustration with Mikayil Ngor Faye’s conduct during Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Lille, marking Sampaoli’s first game in charge. The Senegalese defender, tasked with replacing the injured Alidu Seidu early in the match, was slow to prepare for his substitution, drawing criticism from the Argentine manager.
It’s not normal for a player to take so much time to put on his socks, Sampaoli stated during the post-match press conference, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the lack of urgency.
Faye, who started gaining minutes in recent weeks under former coach Julien Stéphan, now faces uncertainty about his role under Sampaoli.
Despite entering the field, Stade Rennais was unable to recover, suffering their third consecutive Ligue 1 defeat.
The loss underscores a challenging start for Sampaoli, who was appointed just days prior to revive the team’s form.
It remains to be seen how this incident will impact Faye’s standing as the club navigates a difficult period.