Loïk KERBIRIOU

Born in Brest, it was only natural that Loïc Kerbiriou began his footballing journey in his hometown with the youth teams of AS Brestoise. A powerful and intelligent defender, he soon caught the eye of scouts, notably those of Stade Rennais with whom he would complete a conclusive trial. But he would initially refuse to sign for them, preferring to obtain his Baccalauréat and finish his studies in Brest. He got his degree in 1968, headed to Rennes to complete his studies to become a Physical Education teacher. At the same time, he signed for Stade Rennais as an apprentice professional, and spent most of his time playing for the Reserve side in his first four seasons at the club, whilst still managing to make the odd appearance for the First Team, averaging one per year. His debut in the First Division came against Bordeaux on 12th October 1968, playing at right-back. Having always prioritised his studies to become a P.E. Teacher until then, achieving his goal in July 1972, he finally established himself in the starting line-up in the 1972/1973 season, and was even Club Captain as of the 1973/1974 season. Despite being a regular in the starting line-up, he was still powerless to stop Rennes from being relegated to the Second Division just a few months after the First Team Manager at the time, Cédolin, was sacked and replaced by Cuissard during the 1974/1975 season. During the close-season, Kerbiriou was invited to find a new club, for dubious reasons, just as were his teammates Kéruzoré and Redon. President Lemoux no longer wanted him, but Kerbiriou refused to leave, and had to train alone along with Kéruzoré. Eventually, after several weeks, the two rebels had their contracts cancelled, and Kerbiriou left for the Cormorans de Penmarc'h in the Third Division (whilst Kéruzoré headed off to Laval in the First Division.) He would stay in Finistère for two seasons, and ended up best player in the Third Division in the star ratings of France Football. In the 1977/1978 season, he re-joined Brest, on the condition that he could play in the matches without training, to ally his playing career with his job as a P.E.teacher in Rennes during the week. At the behest of Rennes' President Alfred Houget, Kerbiriou returned to Rennes for the 1978/1979 season, who gave him the task of running the club's new Academy set-up. As well as running the Reserve team, he also made ten-or-so appearances that season, playing mainly in midfield alongside the likes of Thoirain, Kerveillant and Rabier. He ended his playing days as a professional footballer in 1979 and left to play for the Rennes Railways team. He would go on to manage several clubs subsequently, before returning once more to Stade Rennais for the 1990/1991 season in Keruzoré's backroom staff, with a rather vague role as technical coordinator. He would eventually be released from his job at the end of that season.