Season 1952/1953

Having finished the previous season in the bottom half of the table in the First Division, there were some important changes which took place on the eve of the 1952/1953 season. Indeed, Franz Pleyer, Manager for the previous seven seasons, was replaced by Salvador Artigas, and Marcel Delisle also stepped down as Club President, with Félix Florio taking over the role on 10th September 1952. On the playing front, two emblematic figures at the Breton club jumped ship. Grumellon and Prouff both left Rennes for pastures new. On the arrivals front, there were no major signings, apart from (potentially) those of Vialleron and Equidazu. Stade Rennais made a relatively good start to the league season, winning four games out of the first seven matches. At the halfway point of the season, Rennes were 10th, in comfortable mid-table. However, as of Matchday 21, things started to go downhill for Rennes, mainly because of their disappointing form away from home (one win all season). They would only win two of the last fourteen matches in the campaign, finishing 16th at the end of the season, with the worst attack, and 10th-ranked defence in the First Division. The lowly finish obliged Rennes to take part in the Relegation Play-Offs to retain the hope of survival. Alas, Rennes would be no match for Strasbourg, who had finished Third in Division 2, losing heavily over two legs. (0-4 and 1-3). Stade Rennais University Club found themselves thus in the Second Division for the following 1953/1954 season, having spent a number of years in the top flight. In the French Cup, Rennes were knocked out in the Round of 64 against the amateurs of Draguignan (0-1).