Rennes announced on Wednesday that Frank Hayes has been appointed as the first-team manager, effective immediately. He will take over from Habib Beyer and serve until June 30, 2027.

Hayes's connection with Rennes dates back to 2006, when he was in charge of their youth academy for six years. His return to Rennes as manager marks the first time the two have joined forces in 14 years.

Regarding the appointment, Rennes sporting director Loïc Desiree commented: “It is a pleasure to welcome Frank, and I know him very well. He is an outstanding coach, very familiar with Ligue 1, and has had many impressive seasons in his coaching career. He was our top choice, and he immediately showed great enthusiasm and a willingness to join our project. He came to the dressing room this morning and reunited with many familiar faces, which will naturally help him integrate into the team as quickly as possible.”

"Our goal, and that of everyone at the club, remains the same: to qualify for European competition. We have high hopes for the team. The victory over Paris Saint-Germain once again proves that the players are capable of creating brilliance. We look forward to the whole team working together and giving their all to make the final stage of this season exciting and to achieve results that align with our shared goal."

The 54-year-old Hayes initially served as both a player and coach at Mayenne, and has been in charge of the Rennes youth academy since 2006. He has also served as manager at Shanger, Lorient, Lens and Nice, with the highlight of his career being leading Lens to a runner-up finish in Ligue 1 in 2023.

However, Hayes has been unemployed since being dismissed from Nice in December 2025. His appointment as manager of Rennes means that he has returned to the helm after a month and a half of unemployment.

After completing the signing, Hayes said: "When I received the equipment this morning, it felt like I was back 20 years ago when Patrick Lampijon recruited me. I am overjoyed to return to Rennes and honored to join such a great club with the coaching staff. The team has a strong squad, and the players showed great fighting spirit and energy in last Friday's league match."

“Since I left in 2012, the club has developed very well. The Pinault family is the most senior club owners in Ligue 1, and their nearly 30 years of dedication fully demonstrates their deep affection and strong sense of identity with the club. The club has been working hard to develop, just as its excellent facilities have been continuously upgraded. The fans’ passion for the club has also been growing. Therefore, it is an honor for me to be involved in this project.”

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