Rennes sacks Montanier, appoints Courbis as new coach
RENNES, France (AP) - Rennes coach Philippe Montanier has been sacked and replaced by Rolland Courbis until the end of the season, a day after the Brittany side was knocked out of the French Cup.
Rennes made the announcement on Wednesday, having lost 3-1 at second-division side Bourg-en-Bresse in the round of 32 the night before and bowed out of the League Cup last month.
The club is sixth in the league standings, five points behind second-place Monaco.
Montanier joined Rennes in 2013 and extended his contract until 2019 last May.
Courbis, who left Montpellier during the Christmas break, was hired by Rennes last week as a special adviser to club president Rene Ruello. He had complained about "nervous fatigue" when he left Montpellier and wasn't expected to make a quick return to coaching.