Stade Rennais F.C., commonly known as "Rennes", was founded on March 10, 1901. It is a professional football club based in Rennes, Brittany, France. The club's predecessor was "Stade Rennais", and it is one of the founding members of the French Ligue 1. Rennes and Nantes are the top football clubs in the region. The club also boasts one of the best youth academies, nurturing many potential players.
When professional football was established in France in 1930, Rennes became one of the first professional clubs. The team has experienced ups and downs, frequently moving between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, until a breakthrough in 1965 when legendary coach Jean Prouff led them to their first French Cup victory, marking the beginning of their European journey. They won the French Cup again in 1971, but then fell into a slump lasting over 20 years.
After returning to Ligue 1 in 1994, Rennes established a "youth training" strategy, nurturing stars like Wiltord. In 1998, retail giant Pinault took over, investing in the renovation of the stadium and training facilities, and spending to bring in strong South American reinforcements. Since the new century, the team has frequently qualified for European competitions, matching their best league finish (fourth place) in 2005 and 2007. In 2019, they achieved a stunning comeback to win the title against Paris Saint-Germain, and in 2020, they finished third in the league, securing their first UEFA Champions League qualification. Their performances in the Europa League knockout stage, defeating Real Betis and beating Arsenal at home, showcased the team's resilience and tough style.
Rennes is renowned for its youth academy, finishing second in the French youth training assessment for the 2011-2012 season, only behind Sochaux, after having secured first place for the previous six years.