Season 1976/1977

After an excellent previous season, where Stade Rennais finished top of Group A in the Second Division, the club were back in the First Division a year after having left it. The Red and Blacks had lost a couple of their attacking options, with the departures of Dell'Oste, Cougé and Simon. On the arrivals front, Rennes bolstered their squad with players, who already had top flight experience, such as Arribas, Notheaux, Maier, Richard and Tonnel. Pokou remained absent for a considerable part of the season, after sustaining a serious knee injury the previous season, whilst Anafal - suffering from homesickness - only played in the opening fixtures of the season, preferring to have his contract cancelled by mutual consent. In the management team, Dubaële replaced Cuissard at First Team Manager. The season got off to the worst possible start for Rennes, losing their first two matches, and they would stay in the relegation zone for the rest of the season. Rennes would end up with just six victories to their name all season, including one against Nantes, future league champions, and Lens, future league runners-up. Suffering under the strain of major financial problems, Rennes were no longer able to pay their players' wages mid-season, and Lemoux stepped down as Club President to be replaced by Houget at the end of the season. Rennes finished bottom of the Division One table with the worst defensive record, and only the 17th best attack. In the French Cup, Rennes were eliminated in the Round of 32, over two legs, by their Breton neighbours Lorient.