Season 1973/1974

Having finished in a creditable 10th position the previous season, Stade Rennais began a new campaign with revised ambitions, reflecting a revised budget, with the club finding themselves in financial difficulties. Rennes would thus rely on the youngsters who joined from other clubs in the West of France, such as Orhan, Philippe and Rabier. There would still be some significant signings, such as Laurent Pokou, who arrived at the club in December 1973, and who would have an outstanding second half of the season, scoring 8 goals in the last 14 games. On the departures front, key players Cardiet, Kéruzoré and the legendary Jean Prouff all left the club, with Prouff vacating his role as Technical Director to go into amateur football. Rennes started the season with two wins and a draw, but would then suffer 5 defeats in the next six matches. By the end of September, Rennes had slipped to 20th in the First Division. In October, the club changed its President. Bernaud Lemoux was brought in to shore up the finances of the club, replacing Joseph Dault. Rennes would go on to spend the majority of the season in the lower reaches of the table, varying between 17th and 20th in the table. But Rennes managed to dig deep and finally woke up on Matchday 29, starting a superb run of 6 wins, 3 draws and only 2 defeats in the last 11 matches of the season. The Red and Blacks would finish 13th in the top flight, with the 19th-rated attack, and the 5th-best defence. Rennes would prove to be the only club who didn't concede a goal to subsequent league champions Saint Etienne. In the French Cup, Rennes were eliminated in the Round of 64 by local rivals Nantes.