AS Saint-Étienne
Encyclopedia
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire (asɔsjasjɔ̃ spɔrtɪv də sɛ̃t‿etjɛn lwaʁ; commonly known as AS Saint-Étienne, ASSE, or simply Saint-Étienne) is a French association football
club based in Saint-Étienne
. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1
, the top division of French football
. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
located within the city. The team is managed by Christophe Galtier
and captained by Loïc Perrin
, who started his career at the club in 1996.
Saint-Étienne is, arguably, the most successful club in French football history having won ten Ligue 1 titles, six Coupe de France
titles, and five Trophée des champions
. The club's ten league titles is the most professional league titles won by a French club, while the six cup victories places the club third among most Coupe de France titles. Saint-Étienne has also won the second division
on three occasions. The club achieved most of its honours in the 1960s and 70s when the club was led by managers
Jean Snella, Albert Batteux, and Robert Herbin
. Saint-Étienne's primary rivals are Olympique Lyonnais
, who are based in nearby Lyon
. The two teams annually contest the Derby du Rhône
. In 2009, the club added a female section
to the football club.
Saint-Étienne have produced several notable players, mostly during its dynastic run in the 1960s and 70s, who have gone on to have coaching careers domestically and internationally. The club unearthed players and managers such as Aimé Jacquet
, Jacques Santini, Laurent Blanc
, and Michel Platini
. Each player went on to have a managerial stint with the France national team
. Jacquet coached the team to victory at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
, while Santini won the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup
. Blanc is the current manager of the national team.
-based grocery store
chain Groupe Casino
under the name Amicale des Employés de la Société des Magasins Casino (ASC). The club adopted green as its primary color mainly due to it being the principle color of Casino. In 1920, due to the French Football Federation
prohibiting the use of trademarks in sports club, the club dropped Casino from its name and changed its name to simply Amical Sporting Club in order to retain the ASC acronym. In 1927, Pierre Guichard took over as president of the club and, after merging with local club Stade Forézien Universitaire, changed its name to Association sportive Stéphanoise.
In July 1930, the National Council of the French Football Federation voted 128–20 in support of professionalism in French football. In 1933, Stéphanoise turned professional and changed its name to its current version. The club was inserted into the second division and became inaugural members of the league after finishing runner-up in the South Group. Saint-Étienne remained in Division 2 for four more seasons before earning promotion to Division 1 for the 1938–39 season under the leadership of the Scot
William Duckworth
. The team's debut appearance in the first division was, however, short-lived due to the onset of World War II. Saint-Étienne returned to the first division after the war under the Austria
n-born Frenchman Ignace Tax and surprise many by finishing runner-up to Lille
in the first season after the war. The club failed to improve upon that finish in following seasons under Tax and, ahead of the 1950–51 season, was let go and replaced by former Saint-Étienne player Jean Snella.
Under Snella, Saint-Étienne achieved its first honour after winning the Coupe Charles Drago
in 1955. Two seasons later, the club won its first domestic league title. Led by goalkeeper Claude Abbes
, defender Robert Herbin
, as well as midfielders René Ferrier
and Kees Rijvers
, and striker
Georges Peyroche
, Saint-Étienne won the league by four points over Lens
. In 1958, Saint-Étienne won the Coupe Drago for the second time. After the following season, in which the club finished 6th, Snella departed the club. He was replaced by René Vernier. In the team's first season under Vernier, Saint-Étienne finished 12th, the club's worst finish since finishing 11th eight seasons ago. In the following season, François Wicart joined the coaching staff. In 1961, Roger Rocher became president of the club and quickly became one of the club's chief investors. After two seasons under Wicart, Saint-Étienne were relegated after finishing 17th in the 1961–62 season. Wicart did, however, lead the club to its first Coupe de France
title in 1962, alongside co-manager Henri Guérin with the team defeating FC Nancy
1–0 in the final. He also led the club back to Division 1 after one season in the second division, but after the season, Wicart was replaced by Snella, who returned as manager after a successful stint in Switzerland
with Servette
.
Snella's first season back, Saint-Étienne won its second league title and, two seasons later, captured its third. Snella's third and final title with the club coincided with the arrival of Georges Bereta
, Bernard Bosquier
, Gérard Farison
, and Hervé Revelli
to the team. After the season, Snella returned to Servette and former Stade Reims
manager Albert Batteux replaced him. In Batteux's first season in 1967, Saint-Étienne captured the double
after winning the league and the Coupe de France. In the next season, Batteux won the league and, in the ensuing season, won the double again. The club's fast rise into French football led to a high-level of confidence from the club's ownership and supporters and, following two seasons without a trophy, Batteux was let go and replaced by former Saint-Étienne player Robert Herbin.
In Herbin's first season in charge, Saint-Étienne finished fourth in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de France. In the next two seasons, the club won the double, its seventh and eighth career league title and its third and fourth Coupe de France title. In 1976, Saint-Étienne became the first French club since Reims in 1959 to reach the final of the European Cup. In the match, played at Hampden Park
in Scotland, Saint-Étienne faced German club Bayern Munich
. The match was hotly contested with Saint-Étienne failing to score on numerous chances by Jacques Santini, Dominique Bathenay
, and Osvaldo Piazza, among others. A single goal by Franz Roth
eventually decided the outcome and Saint-Étienne supporters departed Scotland in tears; however, not without nicknaming the goalposts "les poteaux carrés" (the square posts). Saint-Étienne did earn a consolation prize by winning the league to cap off a successful season and, in the following season, the team won the Coupe de France. In 1981, Saint-Étienne, now led by Michel Platini
, won its final meaningful title to date after winning the league for the tenth time. After two more seasons in charge, Herbin departed the club for rivals Lyon
.
In 1982, a financial scandal involving a controversial slush fund
led to the departure and eventual jailing of long-time president Roger Rocher. Saint-Étienne subsequently suffered a free-fall with the club suffering relegation in the 1983–84 season. The club returned to the first division in 1986 under the leadership of goalkeeper Jean Castaneda
who had remained with the club, despite its current financial state. Saint-Étienne kept its place in the first division for nearly a decade with the club reaching the semi-finals of the Coupe de France in 1990 and 1993 during the stint. In 1996, Saint-Étienne was relegated to the second division and returned to Division 1 in 1999. In the 2000–01 season, the club was, amazingly, supervised by five different managers and had to deal with a scandal that involved two players (Brazil
ian Alex Dias
and Ukrainian
goalkeeper Maksym Levytsky) who utilized fake Portuguese and Greek passports. Both players were suspended for four months and, at the end of a judicial inquiry, which linked some of the club's management staff to the passport forgeries, Saint-Étienne was deducted seven league points and were, unsurprisingly, relegated.
Saint-Étienne played three seasons in the second division and returned to the first division, now called Ligue 1, for the 2004–05 season. The club's best finish during its current stint in the first division was a surprising 5th place finish in the 2007–08 season, which resulted in the club qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Saint-Étienne was influenced by several youngsters within the team such as Bafétimbi Gomis
, Loïc Perrin
, Blaise Matuidi
, and Dimitri Payet
. The heightened excitement by supporters was soon quelled after the club followed up its 5th place finish by concluded the next two seasons in 17th place.
and international competition since the club's foundation in 1919. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 official matches for the club.
For a complete list of AS Saint-Étienne players, see :Category:AS Saint-Étienne players.
Claude Abbes
Dominique Bathenay
Georges Bereta
Laurent Blanc
Bernard Bosquier
Jean Castaneda
Mouhamadou Dabo
Christophe Deguerville
Gérard Farison
René Ferrier
Bafétimbi Gomis
Robert Herbin
Aimé Jacquet
Jérémie Janot
Gérard Janvion
Jean-François Larios
Jean-Michel Larqué
Christian Lopez
Loïc Perrin
Georges Peyroche
Michel Platini
Pierre Repellini
Hervé Revelli
Patrick Revelli
Julien Sablé
Jacques Santini Christian Sarramagna
Jean Snella Christian Synaeghel
Osvaldo Piazza Eugène N'Jo Léa
Pascal Feindouno
Salif Keïta
Johnny Rep Kees Rijvers
Ľubomír Moravčík
Ivan Ćurković
Rachid Mekhloufi Ilan
Saint-Étienne has played at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
since 1931. The stadium, known locally as Le Chaudron (The Cauldron) or Le Chaudron Vert (The Green Cauldron), was constructed in 1930 and is named after Geoffroy Guichard, who owned the land the stadium was erected on. The inauguration of the stadium was held on 13 September 1931 in a defeat to Cannes
. Saint-Étienne plays its first professional match at the stadium two years later on 17 September 1933 in a match against Nice
. The stadium is known for its four stands, which are named after four of the club's most famous representatives:
The Stade Geoffroy-Guichard's current capacity is 35,616. In 1984, the stadium's capacity was increased to over 50,000 for UEFA Euro 1984. On 18 October 1994, the stadium was chosen by the French Football Federation
as a site to host six matches at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
. The renovation, which cost ₣100 million, lowered the capacity to its current number.
Coaching and medical staff
Academy coaching staff
Football in France
Football is the most popular sport in France. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing bodyand is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of association football in the country, both professional and amateur...
club based in Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon...
. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
, the top division of French football
Football in France
Football is the most popular sport in France. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing bodyand is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of association football in the country, both professional and amateur...
. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard is a multi-purpose stadium in Saint-Étienne, France. It is used primarily for football matches, and tournaments such as the 1984 European Football Championship, the Football World Cup 1998 and the Confederations Cup 2003. It is also used for rugby union, and was a venue at...
located within the city. The team is managed by Christophe Galtier
Christophe Galtier
Christophe Galtier is a French former football defender, who is currently the Head Coach of AS Saint-Étienne.-Career:Galtier spent most of his career in France before ending his career with stints in Italy and China....
and captained by Loïc Perrin
Loïc Perrin
Loïc Perrin is a French football midfielder who currently plays for Saint-Étienne. He is usually played as a central defensive midfielder but on occasion has also played on the side of midfield. He was named captain of the Stéphanois side for the 2007–08 season, after the departure of Julien...
, who started his career at the club in 1996.
Saint-Étienne is, arguably, the most successful club in French football history having won ten Ligue 1 titles, six Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
titles, and five Trophée des champions
Trophée des champions
The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
. The club's ten league titles is the most professional league titles won by a French club, while the six cup victories places the club third among most Coupe de France titles. Saint-Étienne has also won the second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
on three occasions. The club achieved most of its honours in the 1960s and 70s when the club was led by managers
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
Jean Snella, Albert Batteux, and Robert Herbin
Robert Herbin
Robert Herbin is a retired French association football defender and manager.-Playing era:He was formed at Cavigal de Nice, but OGC Nice, one of the best French team at the moment, did not recruit him so he went to AS Saint-Étienne in 1957, becoming one of the best prospects of French football...
. Saint-Étienne's primary rivals are Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
, who are based in nearby Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
. The two teams annually contest the Derby du Rhône
Derby du Rhône
The Derby du Rhône is a football match contested between French clubs Olympique Lyonnais and AS Saint-Étienne. Both clubs situate themselves in the region of Rhône-Alpes along the Rhône river, which is where the rivalry's name is derived from....
. In 2009, the club added a female section
AS Saint-Étienne (Ladies)
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire Féminin is a French football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club is the women's section of French football club AS Saint-Étienne and was founded in 1977 under the name Racing Club de Saint-Étienne...
to the football club.
Saint-Étienne have produced several notable players, mostly during its dynastic run in the 1960s and 70s, who have gone on to have coaching careers domestically and internationally. The club unearthed players and managers such as Aimé Jacquet
Aimé Jacquet
Aimé Étienne Jacquet is a French football coach and former player, and manager of the France national football team when they won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.-Biography:...
, Jacques Santini, Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
, and Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
. Each player went on to have a managerial stint with the France national team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
. Jacquet coached the team to victory at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, while Santini won the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup
2003 FIFA Confederations Cup
The 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup football tournament was the sixth FIFA Confederations Cup, held in France in June 2003. France retained the title they had won in 2001, but the tournament was overshadowed by the death of Cameroon player Marc-Vivien Foé, who died of heart failure in his side's...
. Blanc is the current manager of the national team.
History
AS Saint-Étienne was founded in 1919 by employees of the Saint-ÉtienneSaint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon...
-based grocery store
Grocery store
A grocery store is a store that retails food. A grocer, the owner of a grocery store, stocks different kinds of foods from assorted places and cultures, and sells these "groceries" to customers. Large grocery stores that stock products other than food, such as clothing or household items, are...
chain Groupe Casino
Groupe Casino
Groupe Casino is a large French multinational corporation, formerly part of the CAC 40 index, whose main business is with retail and distribution in hyper and supermarkets. The company's head office is in Saint-Étienne....
under the name Amicale des Employés de la Société des Magasins Casino (ASC). The club adopted green as its primary color mainly due to it being the principle color of Casino. In 1920, due to the French Football Federation
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
prohibiting the use of trademarks in sports club, the club dropped Casino from its name and changed its name to simply Amical Sporting Club in order to retain the ASC acronym. In 1927, Pierre Guichard took over as president of the club and, after merging with local club Stade Forézien Universitaire, changed its name to Association sportive Stéphanoise.
In July 1930, the National Council of the French Football Federation voted 128–20 in support of professionalism in French football. In 1933, Stéphanoise turned professional and changed its name to its current version. The club was inserted into the second division and became inaugural members of the league after finishing runner-up in the South Group. Saint-Étienne remained in Division 2 for four more seasons before earning promotion to Division 1 for the 1938–39 season under the leadership of the Scot
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
William Duckworth
William Duckworth (footballer)
William Duckworth was a Scottish professional football manager who coached French team Saint-Étienne between 1934 and 1935, and again between 1936 and 1940, and Lyon between 1945 and 1946.-References:...
. The team's debut appearance in the first division was, however, short-lived due to the onset of World War II. Saint-Étienne returned to the first division after the war under the Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n-born Frenchman Ignace Tax and surprise many by finishing runner-up to Lille
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
in the first season after the war. The club failed to improve upon that finish in following seasons under Tax and, ahead of the 1950–51 season, was let go and replaced by former Saint-Étienne player Jean Snella.
Coupe Charles Drago
The Coupe Charles Drago was an elimination cup competition organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel, between clubs that are knocked out before the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. The tournament was founded in 1953 and was discontinued after the 1965 tournament.-Finals:Key-Results by...
in 1955. Two seasons later, the club won its first domestic league title. Led by goalkeeper Claude Abbes
Claude Abbes
Claude Abbes was a French football goalkeeper.He played the majority of his professional career for local club AS Saint-Étienne, where he won the 1957 Première division championship, the first title ever for the club....
, defender Robert Herbin
Robert Herbin
Robert Herbin is a retired French association football defender and manager.-Playing era:He was formed at Cavigal de Nice, but OGC Nice, one of the best French team at the moment, did not recruit him so he went to AS Saint-Étienne in 1957, becoming one of the best prospects of French football...
, as well as midfielders René Ferrier
René Ferrier
René Ferrier was a French association football midfielder. He played for France at the Euro 1960.-References:* *...
and Kees Rijvers
Kees Rijvers
Kees Rijvers is a retired Dutch footballer who was active as a midfielder. Rijvers made his debut at NAC Breda and also played for AS Saint-Étienne, Stade Français and Feijenoord....
, and striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
Georges Peyroche
Georges Peyroche
Georges Peyroche is a French football player and manager.-References:***...
, Saint-Étienne won the league by four points over Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
. In 1958, Saint-Étienne won the Coupe Drago for the second time. After the following season, in which the club finished 6th, Snella departed the club. He was replaced by René Vernier. In the team's first season under Vernier, Saint-Étienne finished 12th, the club's worst finish since finishing 11th eight seasons ago. In the following season, François Wicart joined the coaching staff. In 1961, Roger Rocher became president of the club and quickly became one of the club's chief investors. After two seasons under Wicart, Saint-Étienne were relegated after finishing 17th in the 1961–62 season. Wicart did, however, lead the club to its first Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
title in 1962, alongside co-manager Henri Guérin with the team defeating FC Nancy
FC Nancy
Football club de Nancy was a French association football team playing in the city of Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle.The team was founded in 1901 and disappeared in 1965, due to financial problems.Two years after the demise of this team, Nancy's current top team, AS Nancy were founded.-Honours:* Coupe de...
1–0 in the final. He also led the club back to Division 1 after one season in the second division, but after the season, Wicart was replaced by Snella, who returned as manager after a successful stint in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
with Servette
Servette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
.
Snella's first season back, Saint-Étienne won its second league title and, two seasons later, captured its third. Snella's third and final title with the club coincided with the arrival of Georges Bereta
Georges Bereta
Georges Bereta is a former French football striker of Polish descent.-Honours:* French championship : 1967, 68, 69, 70, 74, 75 AS Saint-Étienne...
, Bernard Bosquier
Bernard Bosquier
Bernard Bosquier is a former French international footballer who played defender.-Biography:...
, Gérard Farison
Gérard Farison
Gérard Farison is a retired professional French footballer who played defender.-External links:**...
, and Hervé Revelli
Hervé Revelli
Hervé Revelli, is a French former footballer. He is well known for having won the French Championship the equal most amount of times of any player...
to the team. After the season, Snella returned to Servette and former Stade Reims
Stade Reims
Stade de Reims is a French association football club based in Reims. The club was formed in 1911 under the name Société Sportive du Parc Pommery and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2009–10 season...
manager Albert Batteux replaced him. In Batteux's first season in 1967, Saint-Étienne captured the double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
after winning the league and the Coupe de France. In the next season, Batteux won the league and, in the ensuing season, won the double again. The club's fast rise into French football led to a high-level of confidence from the club's ownership and supporters and, following two seasons without a trophy, Batteux was let go and replaced by former Saint-Étienne player Robert Herbin.
In Herbin's first season in charge, Saint-Étienne finished fourth in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Coupe de France. In the next two seasons, the club won the double, its seventh and eighth career league title and its third and fourth Coupe de France title. In 1976, Saint-Étienne became the first French club since Reims in 1959 to reach the final of the European Cup. In the match, played at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
in Scotland, Saint-Étienne faced German club Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
. The match was hotly contested with Saint-Étienne failing to score on numerous chances by Jacques Santini, Dominique Bathenay
Dominique Bathenay
Dominique Bathenay is a retired football midfielder from France, who last worked as Head Coach of United Arab Emirates.- Career :...
, and Osvaldo Piazza, among others. A single goal by Franz Roth
Franz Roth
Franz Roth is a former German footballer who played for Bayern Munich for his entire career. He earned 4 caps for the Germany national football team and was nicknamed "the Bull" due to his physical playing style....
eventually decided the outcome and Saint-Étienne supporters departed Scotland in tears; however, not without nicknaming the goalposts "les poteaux carrés" (the square posts). Saint-Étienne did earn a consolation prize by winning the league to cap off a successful season and, in the following season, the team won the Coupe de France. In 1981, Saint-Étienne, now led by Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
, won its final meaningful title to date after winning the league for the tenth time. After two more seasons in charge, Herbin departed the club for rivals Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
.
In 1982, a financial scandal involving a controversial slush fund
Slush fund
A slush fund, colloquially, is an auxiliary monetary account or a reserve fund. However, in the context of corrupt dealings, such as those by governments or large corporations, a slush fund can have particular connotations of illegality, illegitimacy, or secrecy in regard to the use of this money...
led to the departure and eventual jailing of long-time president Roger Rocher. Saint-Étienne subsequently suffered a free-fall with the club suffering relegation in the 1983–84 season. The club returned to the first division in 1986 under the leadership of goalkeeper Jean Castaneda
Jean Castaneda
Jean-Luc Castaneda is a former French footballer who played goalkeeper from France. Castaneda began his professional career with AS Saint-Etienne in 1975. He also played for the France national football team...
who had remained with the club, despite its current financial state. Saint-Étienne kept its place in the first division for nearly a decade with the club reaching the semi-finals of the Coupe de France in 1990 and 1993 during the stint. In 1996, Saint-Étienne was relegated to the second division and returned to Division 1 in 1999. In the 2000–01 season, the club was, amazingly, supervised by five different managers and had to deal with a scandal that involved two players (Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Alex Dias
Alex Dias de Almeida
Alex Dias de Almeida, or simply Alex Dias, is a former Brazilian football player.- Honours :*Winner of Pará State championship in 1993 and 1994 with Clube do Remo...
and Ukrainian
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
goalkeeper Maksym Levytsky) who utilized fake Portuguese and Greek passports. Both players were suspended for four months and, at the end of a judicial inquiry, which linked some of the club's management staff to the passport forgeries, Saint-Étienne was deducted seven league points and were, unsurprisingly, relegated.
Saint-Étienne played three seasons in the second division and returned to the first division, now called Ligue 1, for the 2004–05 season. The club's best finish during its current stint in the first division was a surprising 5th place finish in the 2007–08 season, which resulted in the club qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Saint-Étienne was influenced by several youngsters within the team such as Bafétimbi Gomis
Bafétimbi Gomis
Bafétimbi Gomis |Var]]) is a French footballer of Senegalese descent who currently plays as a striker for Lyon and the French national team.-Saint-Étienne:...
, Loïc Perrin
Loïc Perrin
Loïc Perrin is a French football midfielder who currently plays for Saint-Étienne. He is usually played as a central defensive midfielder but on occasion has also played on the side of midfield. He was named captain of the Stéphanois side for the 2007–08 season, after the departure of Julien...
, Blaise Matuidi
Blaise Matuidi
Blaise Matuidi is a French football player who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a combative defensive midfielder often occupying a withdrawn position as a deep-lying playmaker and is described as a "fierce and strong tackler".Matuidi began his...
, and Dimitri Payet
Dimitri Payet
Florent Dimitri Payet is a French football player of Réunionnais heritage who currently plays for French club Lille in Ligue 1...
. The heightened excitement by supporters was soon quelled after the club followed up its 5th place finish by concluded the next two seasons in 17th place.
Current squad
As of 10 August 2011Out on loan
Reserves
As of 2. September 2011Notable players
Below are the notable former and current players who have represented Saint-Étienne in leagueLigue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
and international competition since the club's foundation in 1919. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 official matches for the club.
For a complete list of AS Saint-Étienne players, see :Category:AS Saint-Étienne players.
Claude Abbes
Claude Abbes
Claude Abbes was a French football goalkeeper.He played the majority of his professional career for local club AS Saint-Étienne, where he won the 1957 Première division championship, the first title ever for the club....
Dominique Bathenay
Dominique Bathenay
Dominique Bathenay is a retired football midfielder from France, who last worked as Head Coach of United Arab Emirates.- Career :...
Georges Bereta
Georges Bereta
Georges Bereta is a former French football striker of Polish descent.-Honours:* French championship : 1967, 68, 69, 70, 74, 75 AS Saint-Étienne...
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
Bernard Bosquier
Bernard Bosquier
Bernard Bosquier is a former French international footballer who played defender.-Biography:...
Jean Castaneda
Jean Castaneda
Jean-Luc Castaneda is a former French footballer who played goalkeeper from France. Castaneda began his professional career with AS Saint-Etienne in 1975. He also played for the France national football team...
Mouhamadou Dabo
Mouhamadou Dabo
Mouhamadou Dabo is a French professional footballer of Senegalese descent who currently plays for Olympique Lyonnais.He is a right back, but has played left back as well.-Career:...
Christophe Deguerville
Christophe Deguerville
Christophe Deguerville is a retired French football player who played for AS Saint-Étienne, Lyon and SC Bastia.-External links:...
Gérard Farison
Gérard Farison
Gérard Farison is a retired professional French footballer who played defender.-External links:**...
René Ferrier
René Ferrier
René Ferrier was a French association football midfielder. He played for France at the Euro 1960.-References:* *...
Bafétimbi Gomis
Bafétimbi Gomis
Bafétimbi Gomis |Var]]) is a French footballer of Senegalese descent who currently plays as a striker for Lyon and the French national team.-Saint-Étienne:...
Robert Herbin
Robert Herbin
Robert Herbin is a retired French association football defender and manager.-Playing era:He was formed at Cavigal de Nice, but OGC Nice, one of the best French team at the moment, did not recruit him so he went to AS Saint-Étienne in 1957, becoming one of the best prospects of French football...
Aimé Jacquet
Aimé Jacquet
Aimé Étienne Jacquet is a French football coach and former player, and manager of the France national football team when they won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.-Biography:...
Jérémie Janot
Jérémie Janot
Jérémie Janot is a French footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Saint-Étienne. He has remained loyal to the club throughout his entire career, including relegations. He set a record of 1534 minutes without letting in a goal at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard...
Gérard Janvion
Gérard Janvion
Gérard Janvion is a retired French international footballer who played defender.-Club career:Janvion started his career in Martinique with the local side CS Case-Pilote...
Jean-François Larios
Jean-François Larios
Jean-François Larios, nicknamed "Turbo" is a retired football midfielder from France. He arned seventeen international caps for the French national team during the late 1970s, early 1980s....
Jean-Michel Larqué
Jean-Michel Larqué
Jean-Michel Larqué is a retired football player, and now a journalist. He has also been player-coach of RC Paris, his only experience as head-coach.-Biography:...
Christian Lopez
Christian Lopez
Christian Lopez is a retired French international footballer who played defender. He earned 39 caps for the France national football team from 1975 to 1982, and participated in two World Cups . During his career he played for AS Saint-Étienne and Toulouse FC .-References:...
Loïc Perrin
Loïc Perrin
Loïc Perrin is a French football midfielder who currently plays for Saint-Étienne. He is usually played as a central defensive midfielder but on occasion has also played on the side of midfield. He was named captain of the Stéphanois side for the 2007–08 season, after the departure of Julien...
Georges Peyroche
Georges Peyroche
Georges Peyroche is a French football player and manager.-References:***...
Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
Pierre Repellini
Pierre Repellini
Pierre Repellini is a French former football striker and manager. He is a historic player of AS Saint-Etienne, and won lots of trophy with les Verts before ending his career in his native town of Hyères with Hyères FC.He later had a stints as a coach at Red Star FC and AS...
Hervé Revelli
Hervé Revelli
Hervé Revelli, is a French former footballer. He is well known for having won the French Championship the equal most amount of times of any player...
Patrick Revelli
Patrick Revelli
Patrick Revelli is a French former professional football striker and brother of the footballer Hervé Revelli.-Titles:* French Championship in 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976 with AS Saint-Étienne....
Julien Sablé
Julien Sablé
Julien Sablé is a French footballer who currently plays defensive midfielder for OGC Nice.- Career :He was the captain of AS Saint-Étienne, where he made his first team debut in the 1997–98 season. He became an integral member of the club the next season, when they earned promotion into Ligue 1...
Jacques Santini Christian Sarramagna
Christian Sarramagna
Christian Sarramagna is a former French football player, currently without a club.-Titles:*As a player**French championship in 1974, 1975, 1976 with AS Saint-Étienne**Coupe de France 1974, 1975, and 1977 with AS Saint-Étienne...
Jean Snella Christian Synaeghel
Christian Synaeghel
Christian Synaeghel is a French retired professional football midfielder.-External links:**...
Osvaldo Piazza Eugène N'Jo Léa
Eugène N'Jo Léa
Eugène N'Jo Léa was a Cameroonian professional footballer who played in France with Saint-Étienne, Lyon and Racing Paris.His son is fellow player William N'Jo Léa....
Pascal Feindouno
Pascal Feindouno
Pascal Feindouno is a Guinean international footballer, who currently plays for Swiss side FC Sion as a winger.- Early career :...
Salif Keïta
Salif Keita (footballer)
Salif Keïta Traoré , known as Keita, is a retired Malian footballer who played as a striker.-Club career:In his country, Keita played for AS Real Bamako and Stade Malien...
Johnny Rep Kees Rijvers
Kees Rijvers
Kees Rijvers is a retired Dutch footballer who was active as a midfielder. Rijvers made his debut at NAC Breda and also played for AS Saint-Étienne, Stade Français and Feijenoord....
Ľubomír Moravčík
Lubomír Moravcík
Ľubomír "Lubo" Moravčík is a football manager and former footballer from Slovakia, who played internationally for Czechoslovakia and Slovakia...
Ivan Ćurković
Ivan Curkovic
Ivan Ćurković had a professional goalkeeping career and was the president of the FK Partizan and of the Serbian Olympic Committee...
Rachid Mekhloufi Ilan
Ilan
Ilan may refer to:* Eli Ilan , an Israeli sculptor* Ilan, a town in Taiwan*Ilan Berman, Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council* Ilan Araujo Dall'Igna, a Brazilian footballer* Ilan Eshkeri, a British music composer...
Stadium
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard is a multi-purpose stadium in Saint-Étienne, France. It is used primarily for football matches, and tournaments such as the 1984 European Football Championship, the Football World Cup 1998 and the Confederations Cup 2003. It is also used for rugby union, and was a venue at...
since 1931. The stadium, known locally as Le Chaudron (The Cauldron) or Le Chaudron Vert (The Green Cauldron), was constructed in 1930 and is named after Geoffroy Guichard, who owned the land the stadium was erected on. The inauguration of the stadium was held on 13 September 1931 in a defeat to Cannes
AS Cannes
Association Sportive de Cannes Football is a French association football club based in Cannes. The club was formed 1902 as a sports club and currently play in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth division of French football. Cannes plays its home matches at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin...
. Saint-Étienne plays its first professional match at the stadium two years later on 17 September 1933 in a match against Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
. The stadium is known for its four stands, which are named after four of the club's most famous representatives:
- Charles Paret: capacity
- Jean Snella: capacity
- Pierre Faurand: capacity
- Henri Point: capacity
The Stade Geoffroy-Guichard's current capacity is 35,616. In 1984, the stadium's capacity was increased to over 50,000 for UEFA Euro 1984. On 18 October 1994, the stadium was chosen by the French Football Federation
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
as a site to host six matches at the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
. The renovation, which cost ₣100 million, lowered the capacity to its current number.
Domestic
- Ligue 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
- Champions (10): 1957, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981
- Ligue 2Ligue 2Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
- Champions (3): 1963, 1999, 2004
- Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
- Champions (6): 1962, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1977
- Runners-Up (3): 1960, 1981, 1982
- Trophée des championsTrophée des championsThe Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
- Champions (5): 1957, 1962, 1967, 1968, 1969
- Coupe GambardellaCoupe GambardellaThe Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
- Champions (3): 1963, 1970, 1998
- Coupe Charles DragoCoupe Charles DragoThe Coupe Charles Drago was an elimination cup competition organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel, between clubs that are knocked out before the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. The tournament was founded in 1953 and was discontinued after the 1965 tournament.-Finals:Key-Results by...
- Champions (2): 1955, 1958
Europe
- European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
- Runners-Up (1): 19761976 European Cup FinalThe 1976 European Cup Final was a football match held at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on 12 May 1976, that saw Bayern Munich of West Germany defeat Saint-Étienne of France 1–0.-Match summary:...
- Runners-Up (1): 1976
Club officials
Senior club staff- President: Bernard Caiazzo
- Vice-President: Roland Romeyer
- General Manager: Dominique Rocheteau
- Directors: Didier Lacombe, Eric Fages, Nicolas Jacq
- Secrétary: Claudine Frey
Coaching and medical staff
- Manager: Christophe GaltierChristophe GaltierChristophe Galtier is a French former football defender, who is currently the Head Coach of AS Saint-Étienne.-Career:Galtier spent most of his career in France before ending his career with stints in Italy and China....
- Assistant Manager: David Guion & Gerard Fernandez
- Fitness Coach: Thierry Cotte
- Coach: Frederic Emile
- Goalkeeping Coach: Albert RustAlbert RustAlbert Rust was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Arkansas, and a delegate to the Provisional Confederate Congress...
- Team-Chef: Philippe Lyonnet & Guy Demonteil
- Physios: Laurent Bensadi & Hubert Largeron
- Doctor: Tarak Bouzabia & Grégory Roche
- Therapist: Alexandre Rambaud & François Castro
Academy coaching staff
- Director of Youth Academy: Alain Blachon
- Reserves Coach: Jean-Philippe Primard
- Manager: Alan Blachon
- Team Chef: René Richard
- Under 18's Coach: Abdelaziz Bouhazama
- Under 16's Coach: Romain Revelli
- Under 15's Coach: Gilles Rodriguez
- Goalkeeping Coach: Gilbert Ceccarelli
- Under 14's Coach: Philippe Guillemet
- Under 13's Coach: Philippe Durieu
- Under 13's Assistant Coach: Lionel Vaillant
- Under 13's Fitness Coach: Loïc Colaud
- Goalkeeping Coach: Mickaël Dumas
- Physio: Sébastien Sangnier
Managerial history
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1933 |  Albert LockeAlbert Locke Albert Locke was an English professional football player and manager.-Career:Locke played club football for the French teams Le Havre and Saint-Étienne.He also managed Saint-Étienne between 1932 and 1934.-References:... |
| 1934 | Harold Rivers Harold Rivers Harold Rivers was an English professional football player and manager.-Career:After beginning his career in England with Southampton, Rivers moved to France to play with Sète, Saint-Étienne and Arras.... |
| 1934–1935 |  William DuckworthWilliam Duckworth (footballer) William Duckworth was a Scottish professional football manager who coached French team Saint-Étienne between 1934 and 1935, and again between 1936 and 1940, and Lyon between 1945 and 1946.-References:... |
| 1936–1937 |  Zoltán Vágó |
| 1936–1940 | William Duckworth William Duckworth (footballer) William Duckworth was a Scottish professional football manager who coached French team Saint-Étienne between 1934 and 1935, and again between 1936 and 1940, and Lyon between 1945 and 1946.-References:... |
| 1940–1943 |  Émile Cabannes |
| 1943–1950 | Igance Tax |
| 1950–1959 | Jean Snella |
| 1959–1960 | René Vernier |
| 1960–1961 | François Wicart |
| 1961–1962 | Henri Guérin |
| 1962–1963 | François Wicart |
| 1963–1967 | Jean Snella |
| 1967–1972 | Albert Batteux |
| 1972–1983 | Robert Herbin Robert Herbin Robert Herbin is a retired French association football defender and manager.-Playing era:He was formed at Cavigal de Nice, but OGC Nice, one of the best French team at the moment, did not recruit him so he went to AS Saint-Étienne in 1957, becoming one of the best prospects of French football... |
| 1983 | Guy Briet |
| 1983–1984 | Jean Djorkaeff Jean Djorkaeff Jean "Tchouki" Djorkaeff is a retired French football player. He was born in the French commune of Charvieu, located in the département of Isère and is ethnically Kalmyk and Polish. He made his debut as a professional footballer playing for Lyon in a match against Limoges on December 28, 1958... |
| 1984 | Robert Philipe |
| 1984–1987 | Henryk Kasperczak Henryk Kasperczak Henryk Wojciech Kasperczak is a Polish football manager and a football player.As a player, Kasperczak took part in two FIFA World Cups with Poland, achieving third place in 1974, as well as a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.As a manager, Kasperczak enjoyed most... |
| 1987–1990 | Robert Herbin Robert Herbin Robert Herbin is a retired French association football defender and manager.-Playing era:He was formed at Cavigal de Nice, but OGC Nice, one of the best French team at the moment, did not recruit him so he went to AS Saint-Étienne in 1957, becoming one of the best prospects of French football... |
| 1990–1992 | Christian Sarramagna Christian Sarramagna Christian Sarramagna is a former French football player, currently without a club.-Titles:*As a player**French championship in 1974, 1975, 1976 with AS Saint-Étienne**Coupe de France 1974, 1975, and 1977 with AS Saint-Étienne... |
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1992–1994 | Jacques Santini |
| 1994–1996 | Élie Baup Élie Baup Élie Baup is a former French football player and now a manager.- Coaching career :He won the French championship with the FC Girondins de Bordeaux in 1999. Fired in October 2003 by the president Jean-Louis Triaud, Baup signed for AS Saint-Étienne in 2004 with one of his favourite player: Pascal... |
| 1996 | Maxime Bossis Maxime Bossis Maxime Bossis is a retired football defender from France, who obtained 76 caps for the French national team. He is mostly remembered for missing the last penalty in 1982 World Cup semifinal between Germany and France... |
| 1996 | Dominique Bathenay Dominique Bathenay Dominique Bathenay is a retired football midfielder from France, who last worked as Head Coach of United Arab Emirates.- Career :... |
| 1996–1997 | Pierre Mankowski |
| 1997–1998 | Pierre Repellini Pierre Repellini Pierre Repellini is a French former football striker and manager. He is a historic player of AS Saint-Etienne, and won lots of trophy with les Verts before ending his career in his native town of Hyères with Hyères FC.He later had a stints as a coach at Red Star FC and AS... |
| 1998–2000 | Robert Nouzaret |
| 2000 | Gérard Soler Gérard Soler Gérard Soler is a former French-Moroccan footballer, who played as a forward or attacking midfielder. He is of Catalan descent, Soler being a Catalan surname. He played from 1972 until 1988, for Sochaux, Monaco, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Bastia, Lille, Rennes and Orléans, where he retired... |
| 2000–2001 |  John ToshackJohn Toshack John Benjamin Toshack OBE is a Welsh former footballer and manager. He is currently the manager of Macedonia. He has also managed several others clubs including Swansea City, who he took from the Fourth Division to the First in four seasons.As a player, he is remembered for being part of the... |
| 2001 | Rudi Garcia Rudi Garcia Rudi Garcia is a football manager and former player.- Playing career :From a very early age, football was part of Rudi Garcia's existence. His father, José, was a Spanish immigrant who played football at a professional level for Sedan and Dunkerque... Jean-Guy WallemmeJean-Guy Wallemme Jean-Guy Wallemme is a former French footballer, who is currently manager manager of Congo.He was a mainstay of the RC Lens team which won the French championship in 1998.In August 2011 he took over the Congolese national team.... |
| 2001 | Alain Michel |
| 2001–2004 | Frédéric Antonetti Frédéric Antonetti Frédéric Antonetti is a football manager, currently managing Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.-Manager:-References:... |
| 2004–2006 | Élie Baup Élie Baup Élie Baup is a former French football player and now a manager.- Coaching career :He won the French championship with the FC Girondins de Bordeaux in 1999. Fired in October 2003 by the president Jean-Louis Triaud, Baup signed for AS Saint-Étienne in 2004 with one of his favourite player: Pascal... |
| 2006–2007 |  Ivan HašekIvan Hašek Ivan Hašek is a retired Czech footballer who played as a central midfielder.He spent 11 years of his career with Sparta Prague, appearing in more than 300 official games with the club, and later acting as its manager.... |
| 2007–2008 | Laurent Roussey Laurent Roussey Laurent Roussey is a French former football striker and manager.-External links:* *... |
| 2008–2009 | Alain Perrin |
| 2009–present | Christophe Galtier Christophe Galtier Christophe Galtier is a French former football defender, who is currently the Head Coach of AS Saint-Étienne.-Career:Galtier spent most of his career in France before ending his career with stints in Italy and China.... |