Philippe MONTANIER

Philippe Montanier signed for Stade Rennais FC in May 2013 to succeed Frédéric Antonetti. Former goalkeeper, the new Manager came with sound experience, having got Boulogne-sur-Mer promoted from CFA to Ligue 1, then in Valenciennes where he got the best out of his side. Ultimately, he managed to qualify Real Sociedad for the Champions League. As the priority option for the Pinault family – advised by Arsène Wenger – Montanier came with the reputation of being a Manager who proposed attractive football. He arrived with his loyal assistant Michel Troin, and confirmed Christophe Revel as the new Goalkeeping Coach. As he had done since the beginning of his managerial career, he set up his coaching staff without a fitness coach, and finished a disappointing 12th in Ligue 1 in his first season at the club, in spite of making it to the French Cup Final, where his side lost to Guingamp. In 2014/2015, there was to be more disappointment. The club could only manage to finish 9th in the league, and the team was firing blanks in front of goal. In May 2015, his contract was still extended by President Ruello to 2019. Contested for the first half of the season 2015/2016, he had an excellent record away from home, but the team’s home form was poor. The straw that broke the camel’s back came on Tuesday 19th January on the back of a humiliating defeat at Roazhon Park against Bourg-en-Bresse in the last 32 of the French Cup. He was replaced by Rolland Courbis, who had only arrived at the club a week previously as an advisor to the President.