Season 2008/2009

Under the command of Guy Lacombe, and with the reinforcements of Douchez, Bocanegra and Mangane, everything began for Rennes with an Intertoto trek to Ukraine. After a seemingly never-ending penalty shoot-out (10-9), Rennes give themselves the perfect boost to start the season, as was borne out by the incredible Marseille match (4-4), the surprise 3-0 victory over Lyon, and the numerous twists, often at the end of the matches. Whilst no-one could doubt their spirit and determination, and - in spite of achieving a club-record points tally (61) - they still failed to qualify for Europe. What’s more, 38 years after their last appearance, the club finally made it back to Paris for the French Cup Final. Odds-on favourites against Guingamp, the team was unable to keep its emotions in check after Bocanegra’s goal, and succumbed at the end of the match (1-2) nullifying all of the popular fervour surrounding the event. A defeat which sealed the divorce between Lacombe and his Board of Directors over differences in opinion over sporting policy at the club.