Season Preview #14: Stade de Reims
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With the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season fast-approaching, we’re running through every team in the league, giving you all you need to become a Ligue 1 expert. Every day from now until the season kicks off on August 16, we’ll preview two clubs every day, breaking down their key moves and how the season is likely to unfold for them.
Stade de Reims
Founded: 1931
Stadium: Stade Auguste-Delaune
Nickname: Les Rouges et Blancs
Manager: Luka Elsner (first season)
Still only 42, Elsner is remarkably already taking charge of his ninth team as a professional. After success in his native Slovenia, he also spent time in Belgium before impressing in France, even if an initial spell at Amiens SC was marred by a relegation in 2020. His most recent stop, at Le Havre, was impressive indeed as helped the Norman side win promotion and then avoid the drop. Espousing a style that blends technical flair with defensive rigor, his football isn't likely to be as gung-ho as predecessor Will Still's, but he may offer more in terms of concrete results.
Last season: 9th, Ligue 1
Cult hero: Marshall Munetsi
The brawny Zimbabwe international is able to play anywhere from central defence to striker, and in additional to offering dynamism in the centre of the park, he is superb in the air, something in which the team are lacking in other positions. A firm fan favourite, he and Teddy Teuma (the team's new captain) will form a vital central axis as Elsner settles into his role.
Key arrivals:
Unlike previous windows of late, Reims have been rather reticent to spend money this summer, with Cédric Kipré's arrival on a free from West Brom the only permanent signing of yet. The team will, however welcome back Kamory Doumbia from a most impressive loan spell with Brest. The Malian was a live wire in Brittany last season, contributing six goals and five assists in less than 1000 minutes on the pitch, and his use by Elsner will be vital to the team's potency going forward.
Key departures:
For long-time observers of this team, Reims will look radically different in defence with the departures of Thomas Foket and Yunis Abdelhamid. The pair were both out of contract, and while Abdelhamid, who joined AS Saint-Étienne, had announced his departure prior to the end of last season, the loss of Foket, who had been on the team's tour to Japan this summer, comes as something of a shock, especially as the injury-prone Maxime Busi and the callow Nhoa Sangui are the only proper right backs in the squad. Amir Richardson impressed in a breakout season and has now left for Fiorentina as well, but with continued progress from the likes of Reda Khadra and Valentin Atangana, the team have plenty of depth in midfield.
Season Outlook:
Last season, under Will Still, Reims were solidly in the mix for a place in Europe until they tailed off badly in the run-in resulting in the young Belgian's dismissal. While the losses of Richardson, Foket, and Abelhamid are heavy ones in terms of their experience, this largely young side (only Ito is over 30 among first-team regulars) has every chance to continue to develop. Further acquisitions are likely needed to push for Europe, but a finish on par with last season's should be a bare minimum.
Likely XI (4-2-3-1): Diouf; Sangui, Agbadou, Okumu, Akieme; Munetsi, Teuma; Ito, Doumbia, Nakamura; Diakite or Daramy
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