Patrick WEISER

Patrick Weiser was one of the 16 players recruited by Lefillatre for Stade Rennais during the Summer of 1997. This left-footed attacking midfielder arrived from Cologne to replace the departed Le Pen. He was put in the starting line-up as soon as the second match, a heavy 0-3 defeat at Lyon, and he struggled to adapt to the French championship after 5 seasons in the Bundesliga. He was hauled off on three occasions after less than an hour by his boss David. Weiser confirmed that he wanted to leave the club in October. But he was appreciated by the fans for his elegant style, with the ball at his feet, his technical ability and his commitment to the team, and he eventually made his mark on the left of midfield, having a good second half to the season (30 games, 2 goals). Although he was one of the architects in keeping Rennes in the top flight, he was to become a back-up player under new Manager Le Guen in the 1998/1999 season. After scoring the equaliser against Bordeaux (1-1) in February 1999, he left Rennes to join Wolfsburg at the end of a disappointing season, making only 15 appearances, of which just 5 were in the starting line-up.