Overview of AS Saint-Etienne Football Club
AS Saint-Etienne Football Club is a French professional football club based in the city of Saint-Etienne. The club was founded in 1919 and has a rich history of success in French and European football. AS Saint-Etienne is one of the most successful football clubs in France, having won ten Ligue 1 titles, six Coupe de France titles, and reached the final of the European Cup twice.
History of the Team
AS Saint-Etienne was founded on November 26, 1919, by a group of young sportsmen who wanted to play football. In the early years, the club struggled to find its place in French football, playing in lower divisions and suffering financial difficulties. However, in the 1950s and 1960s, AS Saint-Etienne entered a period of unprecedented success under the guidance of coach Albert Batteux. The team won six Ligue 1 titles and reached the European Cup final twice, losing to AC Milan in 1973 and Bayern Munich in 1976.
After the 1970s, AS Saint-Etienne’s success declined, and the team struggled in the lower divisions of French football. However, in the 2000s, the club rose again and returned to Ligue 1. Since then, AS Saint-Etienne has been a regular participant in the top tier of French football, finishing in the top half of the league on several occasions.
Notable Players
AS Saint-Etienne has had many great players throughout its history. Some of the most notable include:
– Michel Platini: One of the greatest footballers of all time, Platini spent six seasons with AS Saint-Etienne from 1979 to 1982, winning two Ligue 1 titles and reaching the European Cup final in 1981.
– Dominique Rocheteau: The “Green Angel” spent 11 seasons with AS Saint-Etienne between 1972 and 1983, winning four Ligue 1 titles and reaching the European Cup final twice.
– Laurent Blanc: The former France international spent four seasons with AS Saint-Etienne in the 1990s, helping the team win the Coupe de la Ligue in 1996.
Coaches
AS Saint-Etienne has had many successful coaches during its history. Some of the most notable include:
– Albert Batteux: The architect of AS Saint-Etienne’s successful period in the 1950s and 1960s, Batteux won six Ligue 1 titles and reached the European Cup final twice.
– Robert Herbin: A former player for AS Saint-Etienne, Herbin coached the team in the 1970s and led them to the European Cup final twice.
– Christophe Galtier: The current coach of AS Saint-Etienne, Galtier has been with the team since 2009 and has led them to several top-five finishes in Ligue 1.
Most Successful Season
AS Saint-Etienne’s most successful season was in 1975-76 when they reached the final of the European Cup and finished as runners-up in Ligue 1. The team was led by coach Robert Herbin and featured players such as Dominique Rocheteau, Christian Sarramagna, and Jean-Michel Larqué.
Owner
AS Saint-Etienne is currently owned by Bernard Caiazzo, a French businessman who took over the club in 2004. Caiazzo has been credited with helping to stabilize the club financially and bring in new investors.
Stadium
AS Saint-Etienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, which has a capacity of over 42,000 spectators. The stadium is known for its unique design and has been nicknamed the “Chaudron” (cauldron) by AS Saint-Etienne fans.
In conclusion, AS Saint-Etienne Football Club has a storied history in French and European football, and has produced some of the country’s greatest players and coaches. With the support of its passionate fans and dedicated ownership, the club looks set to continue its success in the future.
References:
– AS Saint-Etienne Official Website: https://www.asse.fr/
– Ligue 1 Official Website: https://www.ligue1.com/
– UEFA Official Website: https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/