Season 1984/1985

After a previous season in Division 1 which ended with Stade Rennais finishing bottom, and thus relegated to the Second Division, the club made a fresh start in the 1984/1985 season. Indeed, the Red and Blacks changed First Team Manager, Jean Vincent being replaced by Pierre Mosca. Rennes also saw a few of their key players leave the club, such as Stopyra and Tischner, departures which were made up for with the arrival of some experienced players, such as Patrice Rio, Oscar Muller and Thierry Ninot. The start of the season was inconsistant, with a series of matches alternating between wins and defeats. As of matchday 11, Rennes managed to get into the top four, where they would stay for the rest of the season. They ended the season with a run of 7 games without defeat, including 6 wins, helping the Red and Blacks to finish the season in Third Place, which meant that they would take part in the end of season promotion play-offs. Top scorer, Mario Relmy, who had returned from a loan spell, finished with 23 goals, confirming his progression after an excellent previous season, where he was top scorer with Limoges in the Second Division. To reach the top flight, Rennes had to complete the challenge of the play-offs, which they did with aplomb. They beat Saint Etienne away 2-0 at the Geoffroy Guichard Stadium, then knocked out Mulhouse over two legs, winning both matches (1-0 and 4-2) in the process. The final hurdle was against Rouen, which they overcame after two tight matches (0-1 and 1-0), and a victorious penalty shoot-out to claim a spot back in the First Division, just a season after having been relegated.