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Joseph Okumu could not help Reims avoid relegation from Ligue 1, which now leaves uncertainty about the futures of several players and staff, including coach Samba Diawara.
After seven years in Ligue 1, Stade Reims—home to Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu—have been relegated to Ligue 2 following a dismal season that ended with a crushing 3-1 defeat to Metz after extra time in the relegation playoff.
The club now finds itself at a crossroads, facing the daunting challenge of rebuilding both on and off the pitch.
Club captain and goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable campaign, didn’t hold back his emotions after the final whistle. “Frankly, I can't see any future right now. I only see the present, and I'm disgusted!” he told L'Equipe.
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15:20 - 31.05.2025
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Reims’ immediate concern is a meeting with the DNCG, French football’s financial watchdog, scheduled for June 24. The club's budget has been slashed dramatically—from €55 million to just €25 million—prompting a likely fire sale of key players to maintain financial stability.
Still, club president Jean-Pierre Caillot struck a defiant tone: “We are absolutely not under pressure, and the club is not in danger.”
However, significant exits appear inevitable. Diouf (25), under contract until 2027, is among the top names expected to depart.
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10:00 - 30.05.2025
Michael Olunga: 7 Potential Destinations for Harambee Stars Captain After Al Duhail Exit
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has left Qatari club Al Duhail after a hugely successful four-and-a-half-years but which countries could he end up playing in next?
Others likely to follow include rising midfielder Valentin Atangana (19), Japanese forward Keito Nakamura (24), experienced winger Junya Ito (32), central defender Cédric Kipré (28), and former skipper Teddy Teuma (31), who has been out since April.
Even Joseph Okumu, who was linked with a high profile move to Roma last summer, could well have played his last game for the club.
Samba Diawara Faces Uncertain Future
Teuma’s situation, in particular, has drawn criticism and is viewed as emblematic of the club’s mismanagement this season. In a chaotic winter transfer window, Reims dismissed head coach Luka Elsner and sold key midfielder Marshall Munetsi to Wolves for €20 million—just a month after shipping off Emmanuel Agbadou to the same club for the same fee.
The departures left a leadership vacuum that newly promoted assistant coach Samba Diawara struggled to fill, even as he managed to guide the team to the Coupe de France final, where they were outclassed 3-0 by PSG.
Now, Diawara’s future hangs in the balance. President Caillot revealed that discussions are pending: “We have to meet with him, and he has to tell us his intentions. It's a decision that belongs to him as well.
"We have always supported him, and we maintain that position. But we need to know if he, having just started as head coach, wants to continue and in what frame of mind he is.” Early indications suggest Diawara may not be keen to remain at the helm.
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20:20 - 29.05.2025
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Despite the uncertainty, Reims are determined to mount an immediate return to Ligue 1—just as they did after their 2016 relegation.
Caillot emphasized the club’s faith in its youth, stating, “We will rely heavily on our young players who have the experience of a year in Ligue 1.”
The potential returns of long-term injury absentees Yaya Fofana, Mohamed Daramy, and Reda Khadra could also provide a much-needed boost to that promotion push.
As Reims prepare for life in Ligue 2, all eyes will be on who stays, who goes, and who will lead the next chapter from the dugout.
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