<p>RENNES, France — Rennes coach Julien Stephan has stepped down from this position following a poor run of results this year.</p>
<p>The French soccer club thanked Stephan on Monday for all the “exceptional results" secured with the Brittany team, which slumped to a fourth consecutive loss in all competitions last week and has won only one game in 2021.</p>
<p>Stephan, who took over as Rennes head coach in 2018, led his players to a stunning victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2019 French Cup final. He also helped the team qualify for the Champions League group stage for the first time last season.</p>
<p>After an excellent start to the season, Rennes has only managed two points in its past six league matches and fell to ninth place in the standings following Friday’s 2-1 loss to Nice. The loss dealt a heavy blow to Rennes’ ambition of returning to Europe next season.</p>
<p>Rennes’ only win this year came on Jan. 17 and the team is now winless in its last six league games, its worst run since a seven-game run in 2019.</p>
<p>Philippe Bizeul, who was deputy coach under Stephan, has been appointed as caretaker, Rennes said.</p>
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