Bertrand MARCHAND

Born in 1953, Breton native Bertrand Marchand began his footballing journey with Dinan-Léhon with his hometown club. This defensive midfielder, who could also play in defence, arrived at Stade Rennais in 1972, but didn't turn professional until 1976. On 22nd February of that year, he was given his first start with Rennes for an away match in the Second Division at Amiens, ending in a goalless draw on Matchday 22. In his first season, he went on to make three appearances, and became a more permanent fixture in the First Team starting line-up in the two subsequent seasons. Mainly used in defence, he would mostly see service at full-back, but he progressively succumbed to the competitiion for places in the 1979/1980, and lost his place in the starting XI. That season would be his last for the club, leaving Rennes in 1980 to sign for Montmorillon in the Second Division, but he ended up being relegated to the third tier. In 1982, he ended his professional playing days, but continued playing in amateur football, notably Thouars, where he went on to become player-manager, then First Team Manager until 1997. He then continued his coaching career in management. He took charge of Stade Rennais' Reserves, then became Assistant Manager in the First Division in 2001, before becoming Guingamp's manager between 2002-2004. He also went on to coach in Africa, with clubs such as Etoile de Sahel, in 2007. Whilst there, he won the African Champions League, and reached the semi-finals of the World Club Championship in that same year. After being in club management, he stepped up to the Tunisian national team from June 2010 and December of the same year, but it was to prove a fruitless stay. As an experienced manager, he stayed in Africa for several years, coaching at clubs such as Raja Casablanca or CS Chebba.