Season 1986/1987

After staving over relegation in the previous season, Rennes started a second consecutive year in the First Division. To try and keep their place in the top flight, the Red and Blacks bolstered their squad by making some experienced signings, such as Soler, Zambelli or Danio. Stade Rennais began their season in promising fashion with two victories from their three opening matches. What followed would prove to be much less glorious, as the Bretons, alas, slipped slowly but surely into the bottom half of the table, so much so that they were bottom of the table at the end of the first half of the season. The consequence of this bad situation was the sacking of Pierre Mosca, who was replaced by Patrick Rampillon, who until that point had been the head of the Academy setup at Rennes. The change did not have the desired effect, however, and Rennes would stay rooted to bottom spot for the remainder of the campaign, managing just 2 points in total from their last 16 matches. Rennes were thus resigned to their fate, and were relegated with four weeks to spare to the Second Division. It would prove to be the worst season in the history of the club in the First Division, managing just 5 wins, with 7 draws and 26 defeats. Rennes would end up with just 17 points to their name, and had the worst attack and defence. Their participation in the French Cup was not great either, Rennes being knocked out in the Round of 16.