Raymond KÉRUZORÉ

As a native of the Finistère region, Raymond Kéruzoré began his footballing adventure as a player, before becoming a manager. This technically-gifted midfielder started his career as a player in 1967 at Stade Rennais, whilst pursuing his Chemistry studies in the Breton capital in parallel. From 1970 onwards, he would become an undisputed first team starter for six seasons. Over the course of these six years, he would play over a hundred matches with the Red and Blacks, and was a major player in the victorious French Cup run in 1971. In 1973, with Rennes in financial difficulties, the club were forced to sell Kéruzoré to Olympique Marseille. He struggled to settle in his new club, and his season in Marseille proved to be a disappointing one, and his stay on the South Coast of France came to an abrupt end. In 1974, he returned to Rennes, but would only stay for one season. He then left to join Stade Lavallois in 1975, where this playmaker with tremendous vision would experience the best period of his career as a player, achieving promotion to the First Division at the end of his first season at the club. He would reach cult status with the Tangos over four seasons, even being elected "Player of the Century" at Laval. In 1979, he moved on to Brest, where he would spend two seasons, the last of which was a disappointment owing to recurring injuries. This true midfield maestro was even called up twice by the French national team. 1981 would be a year of adaptation, because after leaving Brest, he went to Guingamp, where he would become player-manager for five seasons. He ended his playing career in 1986, a year when he signed for Brest as First Team Manager. For the 1987/1988 season, he had the calling to return to Rennes, as they looked to return to the top flight. At the end of the 1989/1990 season, he achieved that very objective, with Rennes finishing top of their group in the Second Division. But the 1990/1991 season would prove to be a catastrophe for the club and its manager, as they finished bottom of the table, but were saved by the fact that three other teams were relegated for administrative reasons. Unfortunately, as a result of some misunderstandings with the Board and the players, he was relieved of his position, and replaced by Didier Notheaux for the 1991/1992 season. His career as a manager would, however, continue at Tours (1992/1993) and then Quimper (1994-1997), and finally in amateur football with Carhaix (1998/1999) where he would spend his last year as a manager. At the end of that season, he was forced to retire from the profession owing to health issues.