Stade Rennais FC Training Centre

{{Blockquote|text=Stade Rennais has never been able to train and keep its quality players (...). I also believe that managers who encourage young people to give up everything for soccer should make it their duty to help them find a new social role later on.|author=André Bordier, former Stade Rennais player|source=1977{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=110}}}}

File:Jean Prouff.jpg here at the age of 15, took his first license at Stade Rennais in 1933.]]

For several decades, like other French clubs, Stade Rennais had no facilities for training young footballers. However, this did not prevent it from having youth teams and instructors to train and supervise them, such as Louis Bonneville from before the Second World War, or the German Fritz Raemer.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=170}}{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=203}} Raemer led the club's junior team to a 5-1 victory over Red Star in the final of the Coupe de France des Espoirs on May 5, 1935.{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=69}}{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=173}} Four years later, the Stade Rennais youngsters reached the final of the Coupe Nationale des Juniors, the forerunner of the Coupe Gambardella, but were beaten by OFC Charleville (0-4).{{Cite web |last=Garin |first=Erik |title=France - List of Miscellaneous Champions and Trophy Winners |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fran-var-champ.html#cj |access-date=August 17, 2010 |website=www.rsssf.org}} The training was then limited to players whose families lived in Rennes, many even natives of the city.Among the squad that won the Coupe de France des Espoirs in 1935, three of the six players whose place of birth is known - Serge Bauché, Alphonse David, and Léon Poirier - were born in Rennes. The family of Jean Prouff, born in Peillac, Morbihan, moved to Rennes during his childhood. The other two players, Charles Nicolas and Paul Le Guerrier, were respectively born in Brest and Le Mesnil-Drey in the Manche department. Sources: {{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=173}} (team composition), {{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=}} (birthplaces). Players from the rest of Brittany only arrived in Rennes and at Stade Rennais when they reached university age, attracted by the regional capital's status as a university town.{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=116}} Despite SRUC's dominant position over other Rennes clubs,"Stade rennais université-club" (SRUC) was the name given to the club between 1904 and 1972. many Rennes-born players—who went on to shine for the red and black—did not make their debut there. Yves Boutet, the record holder for the number of professional matches played for Stade Rennais, only joined the club in 1955, seven years after making his debut at Tour d'Auvergne Rennes;{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=55}} born in the Marne but raised in Rennes, international Henri Guérin followed a similar path, starting at Tour d'Auvergne before joining Stade Rennais at the age of twenty-two;{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=51}} finally, another international, Adolphe Touffait, came through the ranks with the Cadets de Bretagne before joining the club the year he turned eighteen.{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=21}}

File:Christian Gourcuff 2010.jpg, here in 2010, won the Coupe Gambardella in 1973 with Stade Rennais.]]

In 1973, the Rennes outfit returned to the limelight with a victorious run in the Coupe Gambardella. After successively eliminating Drapeau de Fougères, US Janzé, RC Arras, Stade Poitevin, CS Sedan, and AS Monaco, the Rennais found themselves up against AS Brestoise in the final, defeated on penalties (1-1, 6-5) at the Penvillers stadium in Quimper.{{Harvtxt|Collectif|2001|p=50}} The team, coached by Frédo Garel, included a future international, goalkeeper Pierrick Hiard; several players who went on to professional careers, such as Jean-Paul Rabier, Jean-Luc Arribart, and Jean-Marc Orhan; and Christian Gourcuff, who went on to make a name for himself as a coach.

In France, the 1970s saw the creation of the first training centers, under the impetus of Fernand Sastre and Georges Boulogne, with professional clubs obliged to set up a structure of this type.{{Cite web|last=Dino|first=Dimeo|year=1996|title=Gérard Houllier : «Le foot pro s'apprend entre 15 et 20 ans»|language=fr|trans-title=Gérard Houllier: “Professional football is learned between the ages of 15 and 20”|url=https://www.liberation.fr/sports/1996/04/20/le-foot-pro-s-apprend-entre-15-et-20-ansgerard-houllier-revient-sur-ce-qui-fait-les-succes-actuels-d_168146/|website=liberation.fr|access-date=August 18, 2010}} In Rennes, it wasn't until 1977-1978The year in which the Stade Rennais training center was founded differs from source to source. Either 1977 (see {{Cite web |title=Centre de formation |language=fr |trans-title=Training center |url=https://www.staderennais.com/?rb=18&id=AT25 |website=staderennais.com |access-date=August 18, 2010}}, or 1978 (see “Le center de formation”, {{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=111}}). that the city council released a budget of 200,000 francs for the creation of the club's structure. At the time, the club was mired in serious financial difficulties,In January 1978, Stade Rennais was on the verge of extinction. Placed in receivership, the club managed to turn things around. and the first premises to welcome young footballers, set up near the Route de Lorient sports park, were modest. Loïc Kerbiriou, who was still playing for the club at the time,{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=73}} was the short-lived first director of the center.

Michel Beaulieu, who succeeded Kerbiriou, was himself a former player trained at the club in the 1960s.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=56}} Under his leadership, the club's precarious position—mainly in the second division—prevented the training center from playing its role as an elevator to the first team. In 1985, Rennes mayor Edmond Hervé stressed the need for the club to base its operations on the promotion of the young players it could train.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=416}} Gradually, the training center was equipped with a technical team responsible for supervising its boarders,{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=418}} and a new building was constructed in 1987. Called the Odorico Private Technical School,Named after Isidore Odorico, former player and manager of Stade Rennais, who was behind the club's adoption of professionalism in 1932, and was president between 1933 and 1938. it was built near the Route de Lorient stadium.{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=111}} At the same time, the “ETP Odorico” association was created, making it easier for the school to obtain subsidies.{{Cite journal|last=Keltz|first=Benjamin|year=2009|title=Les astuces financières de Rampillon|journal=Le Mensuel de Rennes|language=fr|trans-title=Rampillon's financial tips|volume=1|page=57|url=https://newsstand.mymozzo.net/app-mensuel-rennes|access-date=January 31, 2025}} As for Michel Beaulieu, he hands over the reins to Patrick Rampillon. Rampillon, also a former club player, retired from the sport in 1983 and joined the technical staff attached to the center. After a short spell as first-team coach, he became director of the training center in the summer of 1987.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=86}}

File:Mikael Silvestre 2009-09-20.jpg refused to turn professional at Stade Rennais, and joined Inter Milan with Ousmane Dabo.]]

The success of the training center and the promotion of youngsters from the Grand Ouest region to the professional ranks became an objective shared by the municipality and the club. Rampillon set out to improve training, using innovative practices such as a four-day training camp organized in December 1987 for the under-18s at London club Queens Park Rangers, who went on to finish fifth in the English league.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=426}} In the 1990s, these efforts began to bear fruit. Youth recruitment naturally focused on local players such as Laurent Huard, who made his first-team debut in December 1990 at the age of seventeen,{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=440}} but also on players from the rest of France, thanks to a growing detection network. In 1991, former Rennes player Daniel Rodighiero introduced Sylvain Wiltord to Patrick Rampillon, enabling the player to join the training center a few months later.{{Cite web|year=2007 |title=Sylvain Wiltord, retour aux sources|language=fr|trans-title=Sylvain Wiltord, back to basics|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/sylvain-wiltord-retour-aux-sources|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 18, 2010}}

While the integration of players from the center into the first team is visible, progress is also highlighted by their presence in the French youth teams. In 1996, Yoann Bigné, Mikaël Silvestre, and Ludovic Roy became European champions with the French U19 team.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=49}} Four years later, they were followed by Gaël Danic, Jean-Félix Dorothée, and Steven Pelé, who were crowned champions in Germany.{{Cite web|year=2015|title=Les Bleuets champions d'Europe|language=fr|trans-title=The Bleuets are European champions|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Les-bleus-champions-d-europe/548373|website=lequipe.fr|access-date=August 18, 2010}} Yoann Gourcuff, Olivier N'Siabamfumu, and Moussa Sow followed suit in 2005,{{Cite web|title=La France savoure son premier triomphe|language=fr|trans-title=France savors its first triumph|url=https://fr.uefa.com/under19/history/2005/|website=UEFA|access-date=August 19, 2010}} and Abdoulaye Diallo in 2010.{{Cite web|last= Châtelet|first=Christian|year=2010|title=La France remporte le titre à domicile|language=fr|trans-title=France wins title at home|url=https://fr.uefa.com/under19/news/0257-0deaacbe20d5-87241b31426e-1000--la-france-remporte-le-titre-a-domicile/|website=UEFA|access-date=August 22, 2010}} Last but not least, Florent Chaigneau and Jacques Faty, winners of the Under-17 World Cup in 2001, were crowned world champions.

{{Blockquote|text=At Rennes, we were offered a five-year contract with a fixed salary. When we tried to negotiate, the directors told us: 'If you don't sign within a fortnight, you'll get the minimum stipulated in the charter'. Rennes didn't budge an inch, so we didn't sign, the remaining level 3 trainees (...) Then Inter made the move and we didn't hesitate.|author=Ousmane Dabo in 1998{{Cite book|last=Kamara|first=Moustapha|year=2007|title=Les opérations de transfert de footballeurs professionnels|language=fr|trans-title=Professional footballer transfer operations|publisher=Éditions L'Harmattan|isbn=978-2296036895|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2uCDR0GvEzgC&pg=PA227|location=Paris|page=227}}}}

On the other side of the coin, this success attracted the interest of other clubs. The summer of 1998 was marked at Rennes by a dispute between the club's directors and youngsters Mikaël Silvestre and Ousmane Dabo. The two young players, who had made substantial additions to the first-team squad in previous years,In total, without ever having played for Rennes under a professional contract, Silvestre will have played 53 games for the first team, while Dabo will have played 44. were unable to reach an agreement with Stade Rennais on the professional contracts they had been promised. Taking advantage of a legal loophole and circumventing the obligation to turn professional at their training club, the two players opted for exile in Italy, signing for Inter Milan.{{Cite journal|last=Keltz|first=Benjamin|year=2009|title=Ces espoirs qui filent à l'anglaise|journal=Le Mensuel de Rennes|language=fr|trans-title=These hopes that slip away in English|volume=2|page=57|url=https://issuu.com/mensuel_de_rennes/docs/mensuelderennes|access-date=January 31, 2025}} Feeling aggrieved, the club took their case to Fifa, demanding financial compensation of 60 million francs, but in the end, only obtained 28 million. This was a far cry from the 100 million francs that Inter subsequently reaped from the transfer of the two players a few years later.

{{Blockquote|text=Eventually, the foundations of the team will rest in our training center. For the time being, we must give our youngsters the means to play so that they can show their worth. At the same time, we need to make room for some of them to join the squad at some point.|author=Pierre Dréossi, general manager of Stade Rennais|source=2002{{Cite journal|last=Simon|first=Frank|year=2002|title=Dréossi : « Une mentalité de conquérants »|journal=France Football|language=fr|trans-title=Dréossi: “A conquering mentality”|volume=2932 bis|page=43}}}}

File:PatrickRampillon.jpg, director of the training center from 1987 to 2014.]]

After four years at the helm of the club, François Pinault instigated a new policy in the summer of 2002, which placed increasing emphasis on training. In the space of just a few seasons, the center's budget quadrupled to four million euros, to build up a workforce 50% trained at the club.{{Cite journal|last=Keltz|first=Benjamin|year=2009|title=Les recettes de la formation|journal=Le Mensuel de Rennes|language=fr|trans-title=Training recipes|volume=2|page=54, 55|url=https://issuu.com/mensuel_de_rennes/docs/mensuelderennes|access-date=January 31, 2025}}{{Cite journal|last=Dessault|first=Patrick|year=2003|title=Rennes parie enfin sur l'avenir|journal=France Football|language=fr|trans-title=Rennes finally bets on the future|volume=3011|page=24}} In 2003, this policy also led to the search for a coach with the profile of a trainer, eager to help young players progress and build on their skills.{{Cite journal|last=Réis-Carona|first=Édouard|year=2003|title=Rennes poursuit son casting|journal=France Football|language=fr|trans-title=Rennes continues its casting|volume=2982}} This choice was echoed by the advent of a generation that successively won the 17-year-old national championship in 2002,{{Cite web|last=Garin|first=Erik|year=2007 |title=Championnat National (U-17/U-18)|language=fr|trans-title=National Championship (U-17/U-18)|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesf/fran-var-champ.html#cn17|website=rsssf.com|access-date=August 19, 2010}} the Coupe Gambardella in 2003,{{Cite web|title= La victoire en Coupe Gambardella en 2003|language=fr|trans-title=Victory in the Gambardella Cup in 2003|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/La-victoire-en-Coupe-Gambardella.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=August 19, 2010}} and the French championship for professional reserves in 2004.{{Cite web|title=Championnat de France Amateur|language=fr|trans-title=French Amateur Championship|url=https://www.fff.fr/competition/engagement/425637-n2/phase/1/261-palmares-national-2.html|website=fff.fr|access-date=April 13, 2010}} Among this generation, several players quickly embarked on professional careers at the highest level, including Jacques Faty, Grégory Bourillon, and Arnold Mvuemba, but above all Jimmy Briand and Yoann Gourcuff,Yoann Gourcuff is the son of Christian Gourcuff. Both won the Coupe Gambardella with Stade Rennais, 30 years apart. who went on to join the French national team.{{Cite web|title=Jimmy Briand|language=fr|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur18966.html|website=lequipe.fr|access-date=October 22, 2018}}{{Cite web|title=Yoann Gourcuff|language=fr|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur20231.html|website=lequipe.fr|access-date=October 22, 2018}} Most of these players were launched into Ligue 1 by László Bölöni, some even before their eighteenth birthday, like Gourcuff.Yoann Gourcuff made his Ligue 1 debut on February 7, 2004. He turned eighteen on July 11 (see {{Cite web|title=Yoann Gourcuff|language=fr|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Yoann-Gourcuff,2310.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=August 19, 2010}}).

File:Coupe Gambardella 2007-2008.jpg

The progress made by the Rennes team was recognized nationally. Fourth in 2001, third in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and second in 2005,{{Cite web|year=2005|title=La formation rennaise en tête d'affiche|language=fr|trans-title=Rennes team headlines|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/la-formation-rennaise-en-haut-de-laffiche|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 30, 2010}} the training center was ranked first in the rankings drawn up by the Direction Technique Nationale in 2006,{{Cite web|year=2006 |title=Le centre de formation du Stade rennais FC à l'honneur|language=fr|trans-title=Stade Rennais FC training center in the spotlight|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/le-centre-de-formation-du-stade-rennais-fc-lhonneur|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 20, 2010}} 2007,{{Cite web |title=Saison 2006-2007 |trans-title=2006-2007 season |url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/-Saison-2006-2007,80-.html |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=www.stade-rennais-online.com |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=La formation à la rennaise reste la référence |trans-title=Rennes training remains the benchmark |url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+1152-La-formation-rennaise-reste+.html |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Stade Rennais Online |language=fr}} 2008,{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2008 |title=Le meilleur Centre de formation de France depuis 3 ans |trans-title=The best training center in France for 3 years |url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/le-meilleur-centre-de-formation-de-france-depuis-3-ans |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=www.staderennais.com |language=fr}} 2009,{{Cite web |title=Calendrier et résultats Liga 2008/2009 - Football |trans-title=Liga 2008/2009 Fixtures and Results - Football |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/sports/football/liga/calendrier-resultats/2008-2009 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr}} 2010,{{Cite web |title=« On continue à avoir un vivier » : le directeur de la formation du Stade Rennais confiant pour l'avenir malgré de récents départs |trans-title="We continue to have a pool of talent": Stade Rennais training director confident for the future despite recent departures |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/-on-continue-a-avoir-un-vivier-le-directeur-de-la-formation-rennaise-confiant-pour-l-avenir-malgre-de-recents-departs/1510089 |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Classement des centres de formation : Rennes dégringole |trans-title=Ranking of training centers: Rennes plummets |url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+Classement-des-centres-de+.html |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Stade Rennais Online |language=fr}} and 2011, based on criteria assessing the place given to young players in the professional ranks (professional contracts signed and number of matches played), their presence in the French national teams, their academic success and the status of their instructors. On the pitch, this was reflected in a new Coupe Gambardella success in 2008,{{Cite web |title=La victoire en Coupe Gambardella en 2008 |trans-title=Victory in the Gambardella Cup in 2008 |url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/La-victoire-en-Coupe-Gambardella,766.html |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Stade Rennais Online |language=fr}} following on from the French 18-year-old championship title won a year earlier by the same generation of players.{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2007 |title=Les 18 ans champions de France ! |trans-title=The 18 year old champions of France! |url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+1089-Les-18-ans-champions-de+.html |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=Stade Rennais Online |language=fr}}Eleven players took part in the two final victories: Petit, Souprayen, Le Marchand, Louhoungou, Théophile-Catherine, Brahimi, M'Vila, Lasimant, M'Laab, Le Tallec and Camara.

However, the stated aim of the training center's management was not to win titles{{Cite web|last= Roullier|first=Frédéric|year=2009|title=Patrick Rampillon : les clubs européens sollicitent les jeunes "de plus en plus tôt"|language=fr|trans-title=Patrick Rampillon: European clubs are calling on young people "earlier and earlier"|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2009/09/04/patrick-rampillon-les-clubs-europeens-sollicitent-les-jeunes-de-plus-en-plus-tot_1236141_3242.html|website=lemonde.fr|access-date=February 3, 2025}} but to upgrade young players as much as possible to bring them up to the level required to play in Ligue 1 as quickly as possible.{{Cite web|year=2008 |title=P. Rampillon : En train de prendre un virage|language=fr|trans-title=P. Rampillon: Taking a turn|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/p-rampillon-en-train-de-prendre-un-virage|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 23, 2010}} In 2009, goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo made his professional debut at the age of seventeen{{Cite web|last=Guyader|first=Jacques|year=2009 |title=Rennes veut mettre sa pépite au coffre...|language=fr|trans-title=Rennes wants to put its nugget in the safe...|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/rennes-35000/rennes-veut-mettre-sa-pepite-au-coffre-614468|website=ouest-france.fr|access-date=August 23, 2010}} but had already been training with the first-team squad a year earlier.{{Cite web|year=2009 |title=A. Diallo : « J'ai pris du plaisir ce soir »|language=fr|trans-title=A. Diallo: “I had fun tonight”|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/articles/diallo-jai-pris-du-plaisir-ce-soir|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 23, 2010}} At the European Under-19 Championship in 2010, he was also the only French player to be upgraded.{{Cite web|year=2010|title=Effectif de l'équipe de France des moins de 19 ans 2010/2011|language=fr|trans-title=Squad of the French Under-19 team 2010/2011|url=https://www.footmercato.net/selection/france-u19/effectif/2010-2011|website=footmercato.net|access-date=August 23, 2010}} Other objectives include the professionalization of the training structure, the individualization of training, the quest for greater precision and stringency in recruitment, and downsizing.

In 2012, the Stade Rennais training center fell back to second place in the national rankings, ahead of FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. This setback led to a reappraisal of the club's training work,{{Cite web|year=2012 |title=Le SRFC devancé par Sochaux au classement des centres|language=fr|trans-title=SRFC overtaken by Sochaux in the centers ranking|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/le-srfc-devance-par-sochaux-au-classement-des-centres|website=staderennais.com|access-date=July 29, 2012}} and the appointment a year later of Yannick Menu as Patrick Rampillon's deputy director.{{Cite web|year=2013 |title=Stade rennais : Yannick Menu, adjoint de Patrick Rampillon|language=fr|trans-title=Stade Rennais: Yannick Menu, assistant to Patrick Rampillon|url=https://rennes.maville.com/sport/detail_-Stade-rennais-Yannick-Menu-adjoint-de-Patrick-Rampillon_52674-2350168_actu.Htm|website=rennes.maville.com|access-date=November 1, 2013}} In early 2014, Rampillon was replaced by Menu, who became the director of the training center. During this period, Stade Rennais failed to regain the top spot in the training center rankings, finishing sixth in 2013, second in 2014 behind Olympique Lyonnais,{{Cite web|year=2014 |title=Classement des centres de formation : Rennes retrouve le podium|language=fr|trans-title=Training center ranking: Rennes returns to the podium|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+Classement-des-centres-de-8341+.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=May 19, 2016}} and sixth again in 2015.{{Cite web|year=2015 |title=Classement des centres de formation : Rennes 6e en 2014-2015|language=fr|trans-title=Ranking of training centers: Rennes 6th in 2014-2015|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+Classement-des-centres-de-8852+.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=May 19, 2016}}

The year 2015 is again synonymous with change: after having been an educator at the club, assistant to the professional squad managed by Pierre Dréossi, coach of several professional clubs, and finally director of the Stade Malherbe de Caen training center, Landry Chauvin returns to Stade Rennais. He replaces Yannick Menu, who was ousted from his post.{{Cite web|year=2015 |title=De nouveaux changements au centre de formation|language=fr|trans-title=New changes at the training center|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+De-nouveaux-changements-au-centre+.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=May 19, 2016}} His arrival was accompanied by a reorganization of the training center's operations, which was renamed the “Académie Rouge et Noir,” and now includes the club's soccer academy and amateur section.{{Cite web|last=Goujon|first=Jérémy|year=2015 |title=Stade Rennais : Bientôt une « Académie rouge et noire » à la Piverdière|language=fr|trans-title=Stade Rennais: Soon a “Red and Black Academy” at Piverdière|url=https://www.20minutes.fr/rennes/1548635-20150224-stade-rennais-bientot-academie-rouge-noire-piverdiere|website=20minutes.fr|access-date=May 19, 2016}}

Stade Rennais FC's youth teams have won various official and friendly competitions since the club was founded in 1901. The club's training center was honored in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 with first-place finishes in the French training center rankings drawn up by the Direction Technique Nationale. In 2006, a study conducted by the Centre International d'étude du sport and the Centre d'étude et de recherche sur le sport et l'observation des territoires ranked Stade Rennais FC fifth out of 98 clubs in the German, English, Spanish, French, and Italian leagues, based on the number of club-trained players playing in these five leagues.{{Cite web|last=Dhers|first=Gilles|year=2006 |title=Les clubs européens agitent les stats|language=fr|trans-title=European clubs shake up the stats|url=https://www.liberation.fr/sports/2006/12/11/les-clubs-europeens-agitent-les-stats_59859/|website=liberation.fr|access-date=August 26, 2010}}

The following table lists the track record of Stade Rennais FC's youth teams, updated to June 2, 2018, in the various official competitions at the national level, as well as in some of the most prestigious friendly and seasonal tournaments.

The match sheets below show the three Coupe Gambardella finals contested and won by Stade Rennais in 1973, 2003, and 2008.

Since the early 1990s, at the end of each season, the training center's teaching staff has awarded a prize to the best young player who has attended the center.{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2011 |title=Rouge et Noir : Axel Ngando, meilleur jeune |trans-title=Red and Black: Axel Ngando, best young player |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhz7f9 |access-date=September 23, 2011 |website=Dailymotion |language=fr |type=Video}} Not only are the player's qualities as footballer taken into account, but also their behavior and academic results.{{Cite web|date=April 5, 2011|title=N'Gando meilleur élément du centre de formation|language=fr|trans-title=N'Gando best element of the training center|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+5189-Jeunes-N-Gando-meilleur+.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 23, 2011}} Since its creation, the trophy has rewarded several future professional footballers, including Mikaël Silvestre, Anthony Réveillère, Gaël Danic, Sylvain Marveaux and Jimmy Briand. In 2008, the trophy was awarded to Vincent Pajot, in 2009 to Quentin Rouger,{{Cite web|date=March 10, 2009|title=Quentin Rouger honoré et bientôt pro ?|language=fr|trans-title=Quentin Rouger honored and soon to be a pro?|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+Rouger-bientot-pro+.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 23, 2011}} in 2010 to Dimitri Foulquier,{{Cite web|date=April 19, 2010|title=Dimitri Foulquier récompensé|language=fr|trans-title=Dimitri Foulquier rewarded|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+Jeunes-Dimitri-Foulquier+.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 23, 2011}} in 2011 to Axel Ngando, in 2012 to Adrien Hunou,{{Cite web|date=May 10, 2012|title=Adrien Hunou, meilleur joueur du centre de formation|language=fr|trans-title=Adrien Hunou, best player of the training center|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/+Adrien-Hunou-meilleur-joueur-du+.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=May 12, 2012}} and in 2013 to Maxime Étuin.{{Cite web|year=2013|title=Stade rennais express|language=fr|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/stade-rennais-express-1478236|website=Ouest-France|access-date=February 3, 2025|page=22}}

File:ETP Odorico.JPG

The Odorico Private Technical School provides accommodation and education for players trained at the club. Built-in 1987, its name pays homage to Isidore Odorico, a former player and manager of Stade Rennais—the driving force behind the club's adoption of professionalism in 1932—and president between 1933 and 1938. Located on rue du Moulin du Comte, near the Route de Lorient stadium, it includes classrooms, a restaurant, and boarding facilities. Home to thirty to forty players, ETP Odorico benefits from the presence of supervisory staff and twenty-two part-time teachers,{{Cite web|year=2010 |title=C'est la rentrée au centre de formation|language=fr|trans-title=It's back to school at the training center|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/cest-la-rentree-au-centre-de-formation-0|website=staderennais.com|access-date=September 1, 2010}} who give around twenty hours of lessons a week to classes of no more than a dozen students.{{Cite journal|last=Chevrot|first=Rémi|year= 2011|title=L'école de la vie|journal=Onze Mondial|language=fr|trans-title=The school of life|volume=273|page=49}}

File:Joie des moins de 19 ans Rennais.JPG

The Henri-Guérin training center is where the players' athletic and sporting development takes place. Since its inauguration in June 2000,{{Cite journal|last=Ferré|first=Pascal|title=Rennes, l'impossible phare ouest|date=December 11, 2001|journal=France Football |language=fr|trans-title=Rennes, the impossible western lighthouse|volume=2905|page=34}} the club's training center has benefited from these facilities on an equal footing with the professionals. For some ten years before this, training took place at the Parc des Sports de la Route de Lorient, with a 45 x 25-metre synthetic surface installed at the same time as the ETP Odorico was built.

The Henri-Guérin training center is used for youth team training, with six to eight sessions per week. A synthetic pitch, installed in 2007, is mainly used by the training center,{{Cite web|year=2007 |title=Un nouveau terrain synthétique à la Piverdière|language=fr|trans-title=A new synthetic pitch at Piverdière|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/un-nouveau-terrain-synthetique-la-piverdiere|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 27, 2010}} while several grass pitches are available to youngsters and their coaches. The training center, approved by the French Football Federation as the Stade de la Piverdière, also hosts competitive matches for the training center teams at weekends. In 2007, the club's reserve team won the French championship for professional reserves.{{Cite web|year=2007 |title=CFA : Les Espoirs sont champions !|language=fr|trans-title=CFA: The Espoirs are champions!|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/cfa-les-espoirs-sont-champions|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 27, 2010}}

The management of the training center, its technical staff, trainers, medical staff, and recruitment team are all part of the Stade Rennais Football Club organization chart and are therefore dependent on the club.{{Cite web|title=Organisation chart|url=https://www.staderennais.com/en/organisation-chart|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 27, 2010}} Schooling and accommodation, on the other hand, are dealt with separately.

In 1987, the construction of the Odorico private technical school was combined with the creation of the ETP Odorico association, to which the entire management of accommodation and schooling for young players was delegated. The association gives the training center its legal personality, verifies and approves its accounts, purchases furniture, and teaching equipment, and has the power to amend its articles of association.{{Cite web|year=2005 |title=Franck Viel|language=fr|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/franck-viel|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 29, 2010}} The aim is also to limit costs for the club by obtaining grants and subsidies and developing partnerships. As an association, ETP Odorico has its president and director.

File:Landry Chauvin.jpg, director of the red and black academy.]]

The academy's director is Landry Chauvin. He has held this position since 2015 when he succeeded Loïc Kerbiriou, Michel Beaulieu, Patrick Rampillon, and Yannick Menu.

Several educators are in charge of training the players. Julien Stéphan is dedicated to the U-21 group. Pierre-Emmanuel Bourdeau, a former professional who trained at Stade Rennais,{{Cite web|title=Pierre-Emmanuel Bourdeau|language=fr|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Pierre-Emmanuel-Bourdeau-3889.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=May 19, 2016}} is in charge of the U19s, while Romain Ferrier, also a former professional,{{Cite web|title=Romain Ferrier|language=fr|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/95-romain-ferrier#google_vignette|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=May 19, 2016}} looks after the U17s. The technical staff is rounded out by Jérôme Hiaumet, former professional{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Jérôme Hiaumet|language=fr|trans-title=Jérôme Hiaumet's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/13199-jerome-hiaumet|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=August 13, 2012}} and goalkeeping coach, and Firmin Carré, physical trainer. The position of recruitment coordinator is held by Philippe Barraud, a former professional player trained at Stade Rennais. He heads up eight regional managers, who are themselves in charge of several observers. In all, some forty people work on recruiting young players throughout France.

The medical department is headed by Christian Le Coq, who also looks after the U19s. Doctors Stéphan, Le Gac, and Verdonck are responsible for the U23, U17 and U15 age groups respectively. The training center also benefits from the services of two physiotherapists, Stéphane Logeais and Johann Fontaine.

Until the end of 2016, the president of the ETP Odorico association was Pierre Rochcongar,a doctor with the French national team between 1988 and 1993, with Stade Rennais for some 20 years,{{Cite web|last=Gourmelon|first=Gérard|year=2009 |title=La DHEA ce n'est pas de la testostérone, ni de la cocaïne (Accès Premium)|language=fr|trans-title=DHEA is not testosterone or cocaine (Premium access)|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/premium/?article_id=MjAwOWE3NDM4OWQyMTE4YWY4ZDQzMTBhMDI4NjdiZWM2OTI2Mg|website=ouest-france.fr|access-date=August 29, 2010}} and director of the school until 2010. At that time, he succeeded Gérard Pourchet, who died on September 26, 2010,{{Cite web|year=2010 |title=Hommage à Gérard Pourchet|language=fr|trans-title=Tribute to Gérard Pourchet|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/hommage-gerard-pourchet|website=staderennais.com|access-date=December 22, 2010}} as mayor of Le Rheu between 1995 and 2001,{{Cite web|title=Présentation de Le Rheu|language=fr|trans-title=Presentation of Le Rheu|url=https://www.lerheu.fr/ma-ville/presentation/presentation-de-la-ville/|website=lerheu.fr|access-date=August 29, 2010}} and a former member of the Stade Rennais board.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=37}} Gérard Pourchet himself succeeded Franck Viel in 2006 following the latter's death, who had held the presidency since 1991.{{Cite web|year=2006 |title=Le Stade rennais football club est en deuil|language=fr|trans-title=Stade Rennes football club is in mourning|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/le-stade-rennais-football-club-est-en-deuil-0|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 29, 2010}}

The director of the technical school is Jean-François Bigot, who succeeded Pierre Rochcongar in this role in 2010, and who previously held a position as professor of economics and social sciences at the ETP.{{Cite web|year=2009 |title=De l'ETP Odorico au festival de Cannes...|language=fr|trans-title=From ETP Odorico to the Cannes Film Festival...|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/de-letp-odorico-au-festival-de-cannes|website=staderennais.com|access-date=September 20, 2011}} Sébastien Crété is in charge of studies and life at the center.{{Cite web|year=2005 |title=Remise des diplômes au centre de formation du Stade rennais FC|language=fr|trans-title=Graduation ceremony at the Stade Rennais FC training center|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/remise-des-diplomes-au-centre-de-formation-du-stade-rennais-fc|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 29, 2010}} Christophe Ronceray is the Director of Pedagogical Activities. The rest of the educational team consists of a center life assistant, a psychologist, a secretary, a housekeeper, and five supervisors.{{Cite web|title=Infos club|language=fr|trans-title=Club info|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Infos-club.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=August 29, 2010}}

From less than 10 million francs at the end of the 1990s, the budget for the Stade Rennais training center rose sharply in line with that of the club, following the arrival of François Pinault as owner in 1998. In 2001, it amounted to 18 million francs. In the following years, it increased further, stabilizing at around 4 million euros, or around 10% of the club's total budget,{{Cite web |title=Le centre de formation |trans-title=The training center |url=https://www.staderennais.com/?rb=18&id=AT25 |access-date=August 30, 2010 |website=staderennais.com |language=fr}} with Ligue 1 clubs spending an average of 2.5 million euros on training.

The budget allocated to the training center is supplemented by various partnerships and grants received by ETP Odorico. The association has signed an agreement with Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne, which paid 15,520 euros in 2005,{{Cite web|year=2005 |title=Le Crédit mutuel de Bretagne soutient financièrement le centre de formation|language=fr|trans-title=Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne provides financial support to the training center|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/le-credit-mutuel-de-bretagne-soutient-financierement-le-centre-de-formation|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 30, 2010}} and 16,000 euros in 2008 and 2011.{{Cite web|year=2008 |title=Le CMB toujours fidèle au centre de formation|language=fr|trans-title=CMB still loyal to the training center|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/le-cmb-toujours-fidele-au-centre-de-formation|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 30, 2010}}{{Cite web|year=2011 |title=Le CMB toujours présent auprès du centre|language=fr|trans-title=The CMB still present at the center|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/articles/le-cmb-toujours-present-aupres-du-centre|website=staderennais.com|access-date=February 23, 2011}} ETP Odorico also receives public funding from time to time. In 1995, the Departmental Council of Ille-et-Vilaine allocated 500,000 francs in aid to professional sports. Several associations also support the school. Created by Abbé Detoc in 1978, at the time to provide economic support for the club in dire financial straits,{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=85}} the Club des 2000 has since provided regular assistance for school and educational activities at ETP Odorico.{{Cite web|year=2007|title=Remerciement au club des 2000 et aux Socios|language=fr|trans-title=Thanks to the 2000 club and the Socios|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/remerciement-au-club-des-2000-et-aux-socios|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 30, 2010}}{{Cite web|year=2009|title=Journée en « Rouge et Noir » pour 1 200 jeunes|language=fr|trans-title=“Red and Black” Day for 1,200 Young People|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/journee-en-rouge-et-noir-pour-1200-jeunes|website=staderennais.com|access-date=August 30, 2010}} Founded in 1992, the Socios supporters' club also makes an annual financial contribution to the training center.{{Harvtxt|Loire|Charbonneau|2001|p=114-115}} In 1995, the Socios donated 15,000 francs to the Rennes training center.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=43}}

On August 15, 2024, the newspaper L'Équipe put a figure of 217 million euros on “the sum reaped (excluding bonuses) by Rennes from the sales of the most promising players from its training center since 2016 (Dembélé, Gnagnon, Camawinga, Tel, Ugochukwu, Belocian, the Guéla brothers and Désiré Doué).”{{Cite journal|last=Rigaud|first=Johann|year=2024|title= Des pépites dorées|journal= L'Équipe|language=fr|trans-title=Golden nuggets|volume=25567|page=7|url=https://mediatheques.paris-saclay.com/notices/lequipe-25567-15082024|access-date=February 3, 2025}} This reveals a particularly profitable training policy, supported by an effective negotiation strategy.

File:Bertrand Marchand.jpg, here in 2011, was an educator at the training center before coaching professional clubs.]]

Ever since the Stade Rennais was founded in 1901, many technicians have been involved in training young players. In many cases, this role is a springboard to other responsibilities in the professional world or the management of the Rennes training system. Patrick Rampillon ended his playing career with Stade Rennais in 1983, becoming a trainer at the training center. Three years later, Pierre Mosca's dismissal during the season led to Rampillon's appointment as interim coach from January to June 1987, but he decided not to continue in this role{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=423}} and became director of the training center.

Like Rampillon, many youth team managers were promoted to the position of head coach at the whim of sporting events. In 1941, the war and the temporary departure of Jean Batmale prompted Louis Bonneville to take charge of the first team for a season, assisted by player Émile Scharwath. In 1975, the dismissal of René Cédolin prompted Frédo Garel, coach of the youth and amateur teams,{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=67}} to step in for two games.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=370}} Internal promotion subsequently became a fully-fledged choice of the club's directors. In 1976, Claude Dubaële was promoted to head of the professionals.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=65}} A year and a half later, Alain Jubert followed suit,{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=72}} after Dubaële was dismissed for economic reasons.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=382}} Finally, Yves Colleu, who had become an assistant coach after joining the technical staff at the training center,{{Harvtxt|Loire|1994|p=439}} became the club's head coach, replacing Michel Le Milinaire, who was forced to retire.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=48}} Only staying on for the 1996-1997 season, he subsequently became Paul Le Guen's appointed assistant coach, following the latter throughout his career.{{Cite web|last1=Bepede|first1=Angèle|last2=Tribune|first2=Cameroon|year=2009 |title=Paul Le Guen - Yves Colleu - Dix ans que ça dure|language=fr|trans-title=Paul Le Guen - Yves Colleu - It's been going on for ten years|url=https://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200907280675.html|website=allafrica.com|access-date=September 2, 2010}}

Like Colleu, some other technicians took advantage of their experience at the training center to launch their coaching careers. Such was the case of Bertrand Marchand, who, after a year as assistant coach to Christian Gourcuff, was promoted to head coach of En Avant de Guingamp in Ligue 1.{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Bertrand Marchand|language=fr|trans-title=Bertrand Marchand's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/2210-bertrand-marchand|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 2, 2010}} This was also the case for Landry Chauvin, coach in charge of training from 1992 to 2007, who became assistant coach to Pierre Dréossi for six months{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Landry Chauvin|language=fr|trans-title=Landry Chauvin's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Landry-Chauvin.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 2, 2010}} before taking charge of the CS Sedan-Ardennes professional team, followed by FC Nantes and Stade Brestois.{{Cite web|title=Landry Chauvin|language=fr|trans-title=Landry Chauvin's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/36438-landry-chauvin|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 2, 2010}} More specialized technicians also experienced similar trajectories. Goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon joined the technical staff of the training center in 1999 and was promoted to the first team in 2003. Four years later, he was recruited by Chelsea FC.{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Christophe Lollichon|language=fr|trans-title=Christophe Lollichon's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Christophe-Lollichon.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 2, 2010}}

Many of the technicians who have been involved in youth team coaching have in common the fact that they were once players at the club or even former residents of the academy themselves. The cultivation of a “club spirit” is also one of the stated objectives, as is the respect by instructors for certain values to be passed on to young players.{{Cite web |year=2009 |title=Patrick Rampillon : «Des valeurs à transmettre» |trans-title=Patrick Rampillon: Values to transmit |url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/patrick-rampillon-une-vraie-satisfaction |access-date=September 3, 2010 |website=staderennais.com |language=fr}} A guiding principle that enables the training center to cultivate its identity, with close collaboration between technicians,{{Cite web|year=2007 |title=Franck Haise : « Il y a une véritable identité au centre de formation »|language=fr|trans-title=Franck Haise: “There is a real identity at the training center”|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/franck-haise-il-y-une-veritable-identite-au-centre-de-formation|website=staderennais.com|access-date=September 3, 2010}} and a common game plan for its various teams.

File:Entrainement SRFC St-Malo 2013 (7bis).jpg, born in Douarnenez, is one of the Breton players trained at Stade Rennais.]]

At the end of the 1970s, and even more so after the creation of the ETP Odorico in 1987, the introduction of a boarding school made it possible to broaden recruitment to young players not based in Rennes. However, the core of the training center's recruitment remained Breton: in 2001, two-thirds of the players were from the region. Several of them went on to become professionals, including Étienne Didot born in Paimpol,{{Cite web|title=Fiche d'Étienne Didot|language=fr|trans-title=Etienne Didot's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/767-etienne-didot|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} Yoann Gourcuff born in Plœmeur,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Yoann Gourcuff|language=fr|trans-title=Yoann Gourcuff's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/7547-yoann-gourcuff|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} Romain Danzé born in Douarnenez,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Romain Danzé|language=fr|trans-title=Romain Danzé's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/17232-romain-danze|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} Sylvain Marveaux born in Vannes,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Sylvain Marveaux|language=fr|trans-title=Sylvain Marveaux's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/16443-sylvain-marveaux|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} and Laurent Huard and Fabien Lemoine, both born in Fougères.{{Harvtxt|Loire|1997|p=71}}{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Fabien Lemoine|language=fr|trans-title=Fabien Lemoine's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/21121-fabien-lemoine|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} In 2010, 70% of the forty-three players at the training center came from within a 200-kilometer radius of Rennes. Eighteen of them come from Ille-et-Vilaine and twenty-five from Brittany.{{Cite web|last1=Aquilo|first1=Laurent|last2=Thomas|first2=David|year=2010|title=Ce derby est-il encore breton ?|language=fr|trans-title=Is this derby still Breton?|url=https://www.letelegramme.fr/sports/football/spanlorient-rennesspan-ce-derby-est-il-encore-breton-1055358.php|website=letelegramme.com|access-date=December 22, 2010}}

However, the players' origins quickly spread to the rest of France, and in particular to the Paris region. Born in Neuilly-sur-Marne,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Sylvain Wiltord|language=fr|trans-title=Sylvain Wiltord's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/349-sylvain-wiltord|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} Sylvain Wiltord was playing for RC Joinville when he was spotted by Stade Rennais in 1991. Like other French professional clubs, since the mid-1990s Stade Rennais has regularly recruited players from the Île-de-France region who have come through the pre-training program at the Clairefontaine National Soccer Institute: Jimmy Briand,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Jimmy Briand|language=fr|trans-title=Jimmy Briand's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/1373-jimmy-briand|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} Jacques Faty,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Jacques Faty|language=fr|trans-title=Jacques Faty's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/982-jacques-faty|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} Jirès Kembo-Ekoko{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Jirès Kembo Ekoko|language=fr|trans-title=Jirès Kembo Ekoko's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/16444-jires-kemboekoko|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} and Yacine Brahimi{{Cite web|year=2011|title=La pépite Brahimi|language=fr|trans-title=The Brahimi nugget|url=https://www.eurosport.fr/football/ligue-1/2010-2011/la-pepite-brahimi_sto2661131/story.shtml|website=eurosport.fr|access-date=September 7, 2010}}{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Yacine Brahimi|language=fr|trans-title=Yacine Brahimi's profile|url=https://www.footballdatabase.eu/fr/joueur/details/21123-yacine-brahimi|website=footballdatabase.eu|access-date=September 7, 2010}} are all examples. In 2008, the variety of regions of origin of the fourteen players who took part in the Coupe Gambardella final shows the multiplicity of recruitment zones: three players came from Brittany, four from Île-de-France, and two from Haute-Normandie. The other five players come from the Lille region, the Lyon region, Amiens, Besançon, and Pau.Maxime Le Marchand hails from Saint-Malo, Kévin Théophile-Catherine from Saint-Brieuc and Gaëtan Caro from Léhon; Yacine Brahimi, David Louhoungou and Yoan Pivaty come from INF Clairefontaine, Vincent Pajot from Val-d'Oise; Damien Le Tallec played in the youth teams of Le Havre AC when he was recruited by Stade Rennais, Florent Petit in the Rouen region; finally, Abdoul Razzagui Camara played for Fives, Samuel Souprayen for Oullins, Yann M'Vila for Amiens SC, Yohann Lasimant for Besançon RC and Hicham M'Laab for Pau FC.

The training center also occasionally brings in foreign players. In 2000, Gabonese players Stéphane N'Guéma and Fabrice Do Marcolino were spotted by Stade Rennais at the Montaigu Tournament, where both played for their national team.{{Cite web|last=Sylvain|year=2007 |title=Choix de l'entraîneur|language=fr|trans-title=Coach's Choice|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Choix-de-l-entraineur.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 8, 2010}} In 2003, Cameroonian Stéphane Mbia was recruited. A former member of the Kadji Sports Academy in Douala, he turned professional two years later.{{Cite web|title=Stéphane Mbia|language=fr|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Stephane-Mbia.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 8, 2010}} Two Swedish players of African descent also passed through the center. Nadir Benchenaa was recruited by Stade Rennais in 2001 and stayed for two years, winning the 2003 Coupe Gambardella in the process.{{Cite web|last1=Boulkeroua|first1=Karim|last2=Berimi|first2=Nadir|year=2003|title=Interview de Nadir Benchenaâ : "J'ai des sentiments forts pour l'EN", "Mais il y'a beaucoup de facteurs à considérer"|language=fr|trans-title=Interview with Nadir Benchenaâ: "I have strong feelings for the EN", "But there are many factors to consider"|url=https://www.dzfoot.com/equipes-nationales/interview-de-nadir-benchenaa-jai-des-sentiments-forts-pour-lenmais-il-ya-beaucoup-de-facteurs-a-considerer-4077.html|website=dzfoot.com|access-date=September 8, 2010}}{{Cite web|last=Sylvain|year=2007|title= La Gambardella 2003, quatre ans après|language=fr|trans-title=La Gambardella 2003, four years later|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/La-Gambardella-2003-quatre-ans.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 8, 2010}} Gambian-born Mohamed Jallow-Mbye signed for Stade Rennais in 2007 from Hammarby but only stayed a year before returning to Sweden.{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Mohamed Jallow|language=fr|trans-title=Mohamed Jallow's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Mohamed-Jallow-Mbye|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=September 8, 2010}} The integration of more young foreign players in the future is one of the avenues being explored by the management of the training center.

Recruitment by the training center is based on three fundamental criteria: the player's technique, i.e. how he expresses himself with the ball at his feet; the player's intelligence, i.e. how he perceives the game, whether or not he has the ball; and finally, reliability, i.e. respect for others, a sense of team spirit, generosity of effort, a sense of competition and, in general, the player's personality.{{Cite journal|last=Chevrot|first=Rémi|year=2011|title=Patrick Rampillon : « Trois critères pour recruter »|journal=Onze Mondial|language=fr|trans-title=Patrick Rampillon: “Three criteria for recruiting”|volume=273|page=49}}

File:M'Vila équipe de France.jpg joins the French team after training at Stade Rennais.]]

Before the training center was set up, three players who passed through the club's youth teams were selected for the French national soccer team. The first was Jean Prouff, who took out his first license with the club in 1933, at the age of 14. Between 1946 and 1949,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Jean Prouff|language=fr|trans-title=Jean Prouff's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Jean-Prouff,2389.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=October 22, 2018}} he played seventeen matches in the blue jersey. In 1965, Pierrick Hiard joined the club's soccer academy at the age of 10. He completed his entire training there until leaving in December 1977.{{Harvtxt|Collectif|2001|p=52}} He was selected once for the French national team, in 1981.{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Pierrick Hiard|language=fr|trans-title=Pierrick Hiard's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Pierrick-Hiard.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=October 22, 2018}} Patrick Delamontagne, who had previously played for La Bouëxière, the town of his birth, joined the Stade Rennais youth teams in 1974, at the age of 17.{{Harvtxt|Collectif|2001|p=56}} He won three caps for Les Bleus between 1981 and 1987.{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Patrick Delamontagne|language=fr|trans-title=Patrick Delamontagne's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Patrick-Delamontagne.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=October 22, 2018}}

Since the creation of the training center in the late 1970s, several players trained at the club have gone on to achieve international status. Their numbers increased particularly after 1987, with the creation of the Odorico private technical school. Among them, Sylvain Wiltord is the player to have played the most games for the French national team, with 92 caps between 1999 and 2006.{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Sylvain Wiltord|language=fr|trans-title=Sylvain Wiltord's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Sylvain-Wiltord.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=October 20, 2018}} He was crowned European champion in 2000 and contested the 2006 World Cup final alongside another club-trained player, Mikaël Silvestre,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Mikaël Silvestre|language=fr|trans-title=Mikaël Silvestre's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Mikael-Silvestre,2072.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=October 20, 2018}} who made his debut for Les Bleus two years before his former team-mate Ousmane Dabo.{{Cite web|title=Fiche d'Ousmane Dabo|language=fr|trans-title=Ousmane Dabo's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Ousmane-Dabo,1977.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=October 22, 2018}} In 2010, four Stade Rennais-trained players made it into the French national team: Jimmy Briand, Yoann Gourcuff, Yann M'Vila,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Yann M'Vila|language=fr|trans-title=Yann M'Vila's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Yann-M-Vila.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=October 22, 2018}} and Anthony Réveillère.{{Cite web|title=Fiche d'Anthony Réveillère|language=fr|trans-title=Anthony Réveillère's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Anthony-Reveillere,1896.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=October 22, 2018}}

Ousmane Dembélé is the only player to have won a World Cup, in 2018. He was also a finalist in the 2022 edition, along with Eduardo Camavinga.

The following table shows the current list of Stade Rennais-trained players in the French national team as of July 07, 2023, along with their year of birth, number of caps, and the corresponding period. Players whose international careers are still in progress are shown in bold type.

File:Stéphane Mbia 5404.jpg, trained at Stade Rennais and member of the Cameroonian national team.]]

Several players from the training center represent a country other than France during their careers. These are players with a nationality other than French, or players who have decided to represent the country of their ancestors. Many African national teams include players trained at Stade Rennais. Stéphane Mbia, trained at the club from 17, joined the Cameroon team in 2006, and played for his country at the 2010 World Cup.{{Cite web|title=Équipe du Cameroun sélectionnée pour la Coupe du monde 2010|language=fr|trans-title=Cameroon team selected for the 2010 World Cup|url=https://www.maxifoot.fr/coupe-du-monde/cameroun.htm|website=maxifoot.fr|access-date=December 28, 2010}} The Senegal team also features many players trained at Stade Rennais, many of whom were born in France. These include Jacques Faty and Moussa Sow,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Moussa Sow|language=fr|trans-title=Moussa Sow's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Moussa-Sow.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}} who previously played for the French national team at the youth level, as well as Jackson Mendy.{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Jackson Mendy|language=fr|trans-title=Jackson Mendy's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Jackson-Mendy.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}} Amadou Maktar N'Diaye{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Makhtar N'Diaye|language=fr|trans-title=Makhtar N'Diaye's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Makthar-N-Diaye.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}} and Papakouli Diop,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Papakouli Diop|language=fr|trans-title=Papakouli Diop's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Papakouli-Diop.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}} both born in Senegal but trained at Stade Rennais, also play for their national teams, the former playing in the 2002 World Cup.{{Cite web|year=2022|title=Coupe du monde, les pionniers africains : le Sénégal de 2002|language=fr|trans-title=World Cup, African pioneers: Senegal 2002|url=https://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/coupe-du-monde-les-pionniers-africains-le-senegal-de-2002-1437953#:~:text=De%20gauche%20%C3%A0%20droite%20%3A%20Aliou,)%20et%20El%2DHadji%20Diouf.&text=Nous%20sommes%20le%2031%20mai%202002%2C%20%C3%A0%20S%C3%A9oul.|website=information.tv5monde.com|access-date=February 3, 2025}}

Other players trained at Stade Rennais represent African countries at international level. These include Alan Do Marcolino, Fabrice Do Marcolino, and Stéphane N'Guéma with Gabon,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Fabrice Do Marcolino|language=fr|trans-title=Fabrice Do Marcolino's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Fabrice-Do-Marcolino,1814.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}}{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Stéphane N'Guéma|language=fr|trans-title=Stéphane N'Guéma's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Stephane-N-Guema,124.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}} Jonathan Bru with Mauritius,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Jonathan Bru|language=fr|trans-title=Jonathan Bru's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Jonathan-Bru,1749.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}} Mohamed Jallow-Mbye with the Gambia,{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Mohamed Jallow-Mbye|language=fr|trans-title=Mohamed Jallow-Mbye's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Mohamed-Jallow-Mbye.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}} and David Louhoungou and Prince Oniangue with the Republic of Congo.{{Cite web|title=Fiche de David Louhoungou|language=fr|trans-title=David Louhoungou's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/David-Louhoungou.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}}{{Cite web|title=Fiche de Prince Oniangue|language=fr|trans-title=Prince Oniangue's profile|url=https://www.stade-rennais-online.com/Prince-Oniangue.html|website=stade-rennais-online.com|access-date=December 28, 2010}}

The Stade Rennais U23 team, coached by Pierre-Emmanuel Bourdeau, competes in the French National 3 Championship. It is mainly made up of players born between 2002 and 2007.{{Cite web|year=2008|title=Les Espoirs reprennent du service|language=fr|trans-title=The Hopes are back in service|url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/equipe-pro/les-espoirs-reprennent-du-service|website=staderennais.com|access-date=October 13, 2015}} Players born in 2005 and 2006 are also likely to play in the U19 national championship and those born in 2007 in the U17 national championship.

The Stade Rennais U19 team competes in the national U19 championship and is coached by Sébastien Tambouret. The squad is mainly made up of players born in 2005 and 2006,{{Cite web|year=2006|title=Effectif de l'équipe des moins de 19 ans|language=fr|trans-title=Under-19 team squad|url=https://www.footmercato.net/club/stade-rennais-fc/effectif/2005-2006|website=footmercato.net|access-date=March 14, 2018}} but the national under-19 championship is also open to players born in 2007, 2008, and 2009. However, prior medical clearance is required for the latter year of birth.{{Cite web|page=32|title=Règlement des championnats nationaux 2010-2011|language=fr|trans-title=2010-2011 National Championship Regulations|url=https://media.fff.fr/uploads/document/3b82ec28bd72f34b0d577250887c68bd.pdf|website=fff.fr|access-date=December 28, 2010}}

The Stade Rennais U17 team competes in the national championship for this category and is coached by Laurent Viaud. The squad is made up of players born in 2007 and 2008,{{Cite web|title=Effectif de l'équipe des moins de 17 ans|language=fr|trans-title=Under-17 team squad|url=https://www.footmercato.net/club/stade-rennais-fc/effectif/2008-2009|website=footmercato.net|access-date=March 14, 2018}} but the national U17 championship is also open to players born in 2009, subject to medical clearance.

• Stade Rennais FC
• Coupe Gambardella
• History of Stade Rennais F.C.
• Roazhon Park
• Stade Rennais FC in European football

• {{Cite book|last=Loire|first=Claude|year=1994|title=Le Stade rennais, fleuron du football breton 1901-1991|language=fr|trans-title=Stade Rennais, the jewel of Breton football 1901-1991|publisher=Éditions Apogée|isbn=2-909275-40-X|url=https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb357507634.public|location=Rennes|page=488}}
• {{Cite book|last=Loire|first=Claude |year=1997|title=Le Stade rennais, fleuron du football breton, volume II : 1991-1997|language=fr|trans-title=Stade Rennais, the jewel of Breton football, volume II: 1991-1997|publisher=Éditions Apogée|isbn=2-84398-000-3|location=Rennes|page=104}}
• {{Cite book|last1=Loire|first1=Claude|last2=Charbonneau|first2=Virginie|year=2001|title=Stade rennais FC, 100 ans en rouge et noir, l'album du centenaire|language=fr|trans-title=Stade Rennais FC, 100 years in red and black, the centenary album|publisher=Éditions Apogée|isbn=2-84398-107-7|location=Rennes|url=https://www.mediatheque-cesson-sevigne.fr/doc/SYRACUSE/60889|page=123}}
• {{Cite journal|last=Collectif|year=2001|title=100 ans en Rouge et Noir : L'Histoire du Stade rennais|journal=Hors-série Ouest-France|language=fr|trans-title=100 years in Red and Black: The History of Stade Rennais|page=64}}

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Category:Football academies in France

Category:Stade Rennais FC

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