Patrick Le Lay to become President of the Stade Rennais
According to L'Équipe, Frederic Saint Sernin will leave his position as a president of the Stade Rennais in the coming weeks. He is expected to be replaced by Patrick Le Lay, the former CEO of the French television channel TF1.
Set back since several weeks due to health issues, Frédéric de Saint-Sernin will no longer be Rennes’ president at the end of the season. To replace him, the Pinault Family is thought to have chosen Patrick Le Lay, TF1’s former figurehead. The businessman was attending Rennes’ game in Paris recently (1-1, 34th game week), alongside Francois Pinault.
A close acquaintance to the club’s main shareholder, Patrick Le Lay is very well known in the French audiovisual landscape, since he was accessory in the channel’s development and success until he left TF1 in 2007.
Born in Saint Brieuc, Patrick Le Lay would know his first experience in the football. The arrival of the businessman, a lover of challenges, would match the aims of the Pinault Family, to help the club progress to a higher level.
Despite a disappointing season, Frédéric de Saint-Sernin’s departure doesn’t come across as a sanction, explains L’Équipe. Saint-Sernin is not pushed out as Emmanuel Cueff had been in December 2006. Several possibilities have been looked at by the club’s shareholder, adds Ouest-France. However, Saint-Sernin is likely to remain in the football world, his name is even mentionned to succeed Jean-Pierre Louvel at the head of the professional clubs’ syndicat, the UCPF.
According to the newspaper, Patrick Le Lay should be appointed this Friday by the club’s board. He could take office at the end of May.