“I was surprised and disappointed…” – Kyogo Regrets Leaving Celtic After the Recent SHOCK He Got at His New Club Upon Arrival…

Kyogo Furuhashi Opens Up on Life After Celtic: “Surprised and Disappointed” by Sampaoli’s Departure

Kyogo Furuhashi, the Japanese forward who made a surprise switch to Stade Rennais from Celtic last month, has spoken out about the shock and disappointment he felt when his new manager, Jorge Sampaoli, was dismissed just days after his arrival.

In an exclusive interview, Kyogo revealed that he had been in talks with Sampaoli before signing his contract with Rennes, and was looking forward to working with the Argentine coach. However, just as he was settling into his new surroundings, Sampaoli was sacked after five consecutive defeats at the start of 2025.

“I spoke with the previous coach before signing the contract,” Kyogo said, as quoted by RecordSport. “I joined training for one or two days, and when I went in the morning the next day, everyone was talking about how the coach was going to be replaced. I was like ‘what?’ – I was surprised and disappointed.”

Kyogo’s comments offer a glimpse into the turmoil that has engulfed Rennes in recent weeks. The French club has been struggling to find consistency, and the departure of Sampaoli has only added to the uncertainty.

For Kyogo, the situation is particularly challenging. The 28-year-old forward was a key player at Celtic, scoring 22 goals in 69 appearances for the Scottish champions. However, his move to Rennes has been overshadowed by the managerial turmoil, and he is still waiting to make his mark on the pitch.

“It’s not easy, of course,” Kyogo said. “But I’m trying to stay positive and focus on my football. I know I have a lot to offer, and I’m excited to get started with the new coach, Habib Beye.”

Beye, a former Newcastle United defender, has taken over as head coach at Rennes, and Kyogo is eager to impress him. However, the Japanese forward knows that he faces a tough challenge to establish himself in the Rennes team, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future.

“I know it won’t be easy, but I’m up for the challenge,” Kyogo said. “I’m looking forward to working with the new coach and the rest of the team. We’ll see what happens, but I’m excited to get started.”

Meanwhile, Celtic fans are still coming to terms with Kyogo’s departure. The Japanese forward was a popular figure at Parkhead, and his goals played a key role in the club’s success last season.

However, Kyogo’s decision to leave Celtic has raised questions about the club’s transfer policy. The Scottish champions failed to bring in a replacement striker during the January transfer window, leaving them short of options up front.

“It’s a big loss for Celtic, of course,” said one Celtic insider. “Kyogo was a key player for us, and his goals will be missed. But we have to move on and look to the future. We’ll see what happens in the summer transfer window, but for now, we have to focus on the players we have.”

In conclusion, Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure from Celtic has been a major talking point in Scottish football. The Japanese forward’s decision to join Rennes has been overshadowed by the managerial turmoil at the French club, and he is still waiting to make his mark on the pitch. Meanwhile, Celtic fans are still coming to terms with Kyogo’s departure, and the club’s failure to bring in a replacement striker has raised questions about their transfer policy.