Nemanja Matić announces return to Rennes amid stand-off with Stade Rennais

Stade Rennais midfielder Nemanja Matić (35) has announced on his Instagram account that he would return to Rennes on Friday after going AWOL. The former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder stunned the Ligue 1 club’s executives by leaving Rennes with his family on Wednesday morning.

Matić has been pushing for an exit from Rennes, only five months after arriving from AS Roma on a €2m switch, after a difficult start to his new life in Brittany. The club’s results have dwindled, with manager Bruno Genesio handing over his resignation, and Matić was unhappy his children could not be enrolled in an international school because no such school exists in Rennes.

‘I’m going back to Rennes’

The club released a scathing statement this Thursday, urging Matić to explain his defection. The player has taken to Instagram to address the matter with a message that reads: Dear supporters, I want to end any speculation and say that last summer I was honoured by Stade Rennais’ invitation to be an important part of an ambitious project that needed a player of my characteristics and experience. After six months at the club, I can only confirm that our club has become an exceptional club for all players, especially young ones. Unfortunately, due to my mistake, I did not manage to adapt my private situation to my professional one. I could not enrol the children in the international school they have been attending since the beginning of their education. That’s why I have been away [these] last three days – to try to solve this big problem for me and my family and tomorrow I’m going back to Rennes where I will decide the next steps together with the club.”

Several French media outlets are adamant that Matić has already agreed personal terms with Olympique Lyonnais. However, Stade Rennais have no intention of strengthening a Ligue 1 rival with their marquee player, who is tied to a contract set to expire in 2025. It remains to be seen whether the fact Matić announced he had made a “mistake” regarding his children’s schooling will give him a way back into the squad.Stade Rennais will host OGC Nice on Saturday night at Roazhon Park for Ligue 1’s gameweek 18.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval