Nemanja Matić confirms personal reasons behind early Rennes exit

Nemanja Matić (35) confirms his departure from Stade Rennais was due to his inability to find an international school for his children. 

The midfielder left Rennes after only six months at the club to join Olympique Lyonnais in the winter transfer window. As Matić explained, “ To be honest, I liked Rennes, the club and the people there. I think it’s a fantastic club, I have to say that, professionally, I felt really good there. ”

Matić continued, “ The only problem was that I have three children and they are used to going to an international English-language school. We couldn’t find that in Rennes .” It had long been suspected that this was the reason behind the midfielder’s sudden attempt to force a move away from a club he had joined in the summer.  

Matić had cleared out his locker and was spotted on a train exiting the city early in January before eventually securing the move late in the month . Although it was a fractious end, it appeared to be a move that worked out for all parties. 

Rennes have become the most inform team in the league as they’ve climbed up the table and are far away from their midseason worries of a relegation battle, while Lyon have likewise gone on an impressive winning run that has seen them finally steer themselves clear from a relegation battle that they were at one stage deeply involved in. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland