François GRENET

After Réveillère made it clear that he wanted to leave, Stade Rennais FC decided to make contingency plans by obtaining the loan signing of François Grenet from Derby County on the last days of the 2002 transfer window. Considered as one of the best specialists at right-back during his spell at Girondins de Bordeaux, and knocking on the door of the French national side, the Basque native was unable to get an extended run in the side under Bergeroo or Halilhodzic. When Réveillère was finally loaned to Valencia during the winter, Grenet may have fancied his chances of making the breakthrough. Unfortunately, he was constantly injured, which forced the club to recruit Jay at the end of the winter transfer window. In spite of the lack of real competition which the former Auxerre player posed, Grenet only made his return to the team in May 2003. The following season, his injury woes continued, and the new boss logically preferred Diatta in his place. In July 2004, Grenet joined Nice, where he ended his career two years later.