Season 1974/1975

After finishing 13th in the First Division in the previous season, Stade Rennais began their 17th consecutive season in the French top flight. In order to maintain their level in the First Division, the Red and Blacks were able to hang on to their key players, and only three important members of the squad had departed in the close season (Betta, Cherini and Dortomb). On the arrivals front, Kéruzoré returned to re-sign for his former club, and Rennes also recruited Anafal, as well as giving some promising youngsters - such as Arribart and Delamontagne, the chance to shine at First Team level. Rennes got off to a promising start to the 1974/1975 season, swiftly occupying a regular place in the top half of the table, and were 6th at the halfway point of the season, beating future French champions Saint Etienne along the way. Alas, the second half of the season would prove to be much less fruitful, indeed it was catastrophic. After a win on matchday 25, Rennes failed to win a single match thereafter, and slid inexorably down the league table to the lower reaches. What's more, internal conflicts at the club, between certain players and the Club President of the day, would create a toxic atmosphere in the Red and Blacks' dressing room. In February, with Rennes 12th in the table, Manager Cédolin was sacked, to the general surprise of everyone, and Cuissard came in to replace him, having previously managed at the club between 1961 and 1964. With thirteen winless matches to complete the season, Rennes plummeted to 19th in the league at the end, finishing with the worst attack and the 8th-best defence in the First Division, one point off of safety. Rennes were thus relegated, and would go on to play the next season in the Second Division. Rennes stay in the French Cup was also short-lived, eliminated by Metz in the Round of 32.