25/26 Season Preview #4: Stade Brestois 29
After a first-ever UEFA Champions League campaign last season, Stade Brestois are raring to go again in Ligue 1 McDonald's this season and achieve against the odds.
Last Season
Fresh from a historic third-place finish in 2023–24 that secured Brest’s first-ever UEFA Champions League berth, the Ty‑Zefs delivered an impressive debut in Europe under Éric Roy. Navigating a demanding schedule and temporary exile from their home stadium, they collected important group‑stage wins against Stuttgart Graz, RB Salzburg (0‑4), Sparta Prague, and PSV, plus a draw with Bayer Leverkusen—but were decisively beaten by PSG in the playoff round (0‑3, 0‑7).
Domestically, they finished ninth in Ligue 1 McDonald’s, and reached the Coupe de France quarter‑finals—a commendable showing given their resources. Their pre-season has also been promising, after securing a statement 2-1 win over Italian champions Napoli before they host Lille on the first day of the new season.
READ MORE: >> Brest win against Napoli in pre-season
The Coach: Éric Roy
Éric Roy arrived in January 2023 with little fanfare and limited Ligue 1 McDonald's experience - but has since authored one of the most remarkable managerial stories in recent French football. Initially tasked with avoiding relegation, he transformed Brest into Champions League qualifiers within 18 months, all while operating with one of the division’s smallest budgets. Calm, methodical, and fiercely pragmatic, Roy has instilled a resilient, well-drilled identity—maximising each player's utility rather than leaning on stars. His rise earned him the UNFP Manager of the Year award in 2024, and his continued stewardship is arguably Brest’s most valuable asset heading into the 2025–26 season.
Key arrivals and departures
Les Pirates have had a quiet window so far but have lost number one goalkeeper Marco Bizot to Premier League side Aston Villa. Midfielder Mathias Perriera Lage has also departed for Bundesliga club FC Saint Pauli, whilst Lilian Brassier made his permanent move to Stade Rennais. The Breton side have, however, made the permanent signing of striker Ludovic Ajorque, who scored 13 Ligue 1 McDonald's goals last season in 31 appearances.
Key PLayer: Brendan Chardonnet
A local boy from Saint-Rénan and a one-club man with over 230 appearances, Brendan Chardonnet offers not only consistency but crucial leadership during a historic period in the club’s existence. Despite injuries and rotation around him, Chardonnet has remained a reliable figure at the back, adapting to new pairings and maintaining a high standard in matches which saw him go up against some of Europe's best in the UEFA Champions League. The Frenchman will be raring to go again in Ligue 1 this season.
Remember when…
This is a club that exudes working-class pride and has usually made its mark on French football through youth development — but the 2023–24 season truly rewrote the record books. From the third tier in 2004 to the Champions League group stage in 2024, Brest’s surge stands as one of French football’s great success stories—especially considering they operate on a fraction of the budgets of PSG, Monaco or Lille.
Cult Hero: Steve Mounié
Steve Mounié may have departed Brest in 2024, but his legacy in the red and white jersey is undeniable. Joining from Montpellier in 2020, the Beninese striker quickly became a talismanic figure, scoring 33 goals in 135 appearances. In April 2024, he was named Brest’s player of the month after a run of 3 goals and 2 assists in four matches, including a derby-winning brace at Rennes. His form saw Les Pirates burst up the table and eventually qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
READ MORE:
>>25/26 Season Preview #3: Le Havre
>>25/26 Season Preview #2: AJ Auxerre
