Preview #15: Stade Rennais
Our series of Ligue 1 McDonald's previews continues with Stade Rennais, who will look to improve on a strong finish to last season under Franck Haise.
Last season
After the dismissal of Habib Beye, things took a dramatic upturn under Franck Haise, with the team winning eight of their first ten league matches under the stewardship of the former Lens and Nice manager. While their quest for the Champions League saw them fall just a point short after late-season losses to Marseille and Lyon, there's still plenty of optimism at Roazhon Park for the campaign ahead.
The coach:
Haise is in some ways the perfect match for Rennes' attack-minded philosophy, given the verve with which his teams at Lens played. While he was less successful at Nice last season, his having steered Les Aiglons to fourth in 2024/25 is in some ways more of an achievement, and with their European rivals looking vulnerable, he has all the potential to do even more with a full preseason under his belt.
Key arrivals
Charlie Cresswell, who is on loan from Toulouse with an option to buy, will be the most eye-catching name, but don't sell Rennes' additions with an eye towards depth short, either. Striker Eliezer Mayenda isn't a first-choice player while Breel Embolo is still with the club, but there's little doubting his potential, while the arrivals of proven Ligue 1 veterans Issa Soumaré and Adrien Thomasson on free transfers represent canny business indeed. Former Montpellier winger Arnaud Nordin has also signed permanently after playing the second half of the season on loan.
Charlie Cresswell is Rennes' newest defensive rock. 🛡️🏴 pic.twitter.com/jNKMXqWnGu
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) August 4, 2026
Key departures
Of all the teams in France's top flight, Rennes have some of the most continuity, with Haise being key to this. Among the playing staff, Jérémy Jacquet will be a big loss,but given his struggles with injury last year, he will scarcely be missed, while the two other main departures -- midfielders Albert Grønbaek and Jordan James -- had been on loan last season.
Remember when...
Having never won the Ligue 1 title, despite playing in the top division for much of their history, Rennes biggest honors will be their three Coupe de France wins, in 1965, 1971 and 2019. The last of these -- given it came against four-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain -- is the most impressive though. With a lineup stacked with players that hardcore devotees of Ligue 1 will remember fondly -- Clément Grenier, Damien Da Silva, Benjamin Bourigeaud and Benjamin André were all in the eleven, the Bretons needed a slice of luck via an own goal to come back from two goals down, but were worthy victors after converting six penalties in a row.
Cult hero: Olivier Sorlin
Despite failing to win any major honors during his eight seasons (across two spells) with the Breton side, Sorlin's cultured approach in midfield made him an underappreciated yet stalwart figure for the Rouge et Noir. After an aborted spell in Greece, he was also a key player for Evian, making more than 200 appearances and helping the eastern club win promotion.
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