Guy LACOMBE

With the double role of Director of Football and First Team Manager being a little too restrictive, Pierre Dréossi recruited Guy Lacombe to replace him as Manager after going 9 matches without a win in 2007/2008. The new coach immediately made some surprising sporting choices, notably benching captain Didot, favouring the unknown Lemoine, whilst Wiltord, Edman and Pouplin were dropped without explanation. Nevertheless, the results were heading in the right direction. Rennes jumped from 17th to 6th in the last 13 games of the season. In 2008/2009, the UEFA Cup campaign finished in the first round against Twente Enschede. Stade Rennais strung together an unbeaten run of 18 matches in Ligue 1, and finished on 61 points. But even that record tally wasn’t enough for Rennes to qualify for Europe. The “highlight” of Lacombe’s tenure at Rennes will remain the French Cup Final which his side lost to Guingamp (1-2). A defeat which sealed the divorce between the club and fans and the Manager. Lacombe joined Monaco in 2009.