Season 2007/2008

In the aftermath of missing out in heartbreaking fashion on a Champions League qualification following a draw in the final league game at Lille, Stade Rennais suffered the departures of key players such as Melchiot, Faty, Bourillon or Utaka. Director of Football, and First Team Manager, Pierre Dréossi, centred his recruitment drive around recognised players: Fanni, Hansson, Leroy, Pagis and Wiltord, and took a risk with the Brasilian Emerson. Le legitimate expectations surrounding the team were pretty much dispelled in the space of 3 months. Participating in the UEFA Cup and 5th in Ligue 1in October, Rennes went on a depressing run of 10 matches without a win up to Christmas. Le staff was thrown into chaos by the arrival of Guy Lacombe in December. The coach bolstered the side, and made the unexpected choice of replacing captain Didot with the unknown Lemoine. Whilst unspectacular, the club regained its effectiveness on the pitch, and took 28 points from the last 13 league matches and grabbed a spot in the Intertoto Cup. The respective eliminations from the domestic cups by Valenciennes and Lorient were disappointing.