Jocelyn GOURVENNEC

Spotted at Lorient at the age of 19, Jocelyn Gourvennec joined Stade Rennais in 1991. After a rather low-key start in Division 1 in the 1991/1992 season, he blossomed in the following two seasons in Division 2, playing 65 matches and scoring 26 goals under the Managers Notheaux and Le Milinaire. These performances made this classic playmaker one of the great hopes of French football when Rennes returned to the French 1st Division in 1994. In an attack-minded team with the likes of André, Grassi, Le Pen or Wiltord, the native of Brest provided numerous assists, and often got on the end of things to score 9 goals. His performances attracted the attention of reigning champions Nantes, who he joined in 1995. After spells in Marseille (where he played in the UEFA Cup Final), and Montpellier, he returned to Rennes in 2000 to replace Gava, whose career had been unexpectedly curtailed. His second stay at Rennes was less successful, with the managers (Le Guen and then Gourcuff) often playing him out of position. After 61 matches and 6 goals, he left Brittany once more to join Bastia in January 2002.