News Focus
- Philippe Montanier exits AS Saint-Étienne as his contract expires this summer.
- The club failed to gain promotion to Ligue 1 after losing 4-1 to OGC Nice in the play-off final.
- Montanier joined mid-season to replace Erik Horneland but could not secure a top-flight return.
- Saint-Étienne will remain in the French second tier following their relegation last year.
Philippe Montanier is set to depart AS Saint-Étienne. The experienced French coach will leave the club when his current contract expires at the end of this month.
Montanier took charge of Les Verts during the season in a bid to save their campaign. He replaced Erik Horneland in the dugout after the team struggled to meet their targets. However, the 60-year-old could not guide the side back to France’s top division.
The club’s hopes ended in the promotion play-offs. They drew the first leg against OGC Nice 0-0 at home. However, they suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat in the return match at the Allianz Riviera. This result confirmed their place in Ligue 2 for another season.
Saint-Étienne had invested heavily after dropping down to the second tier last summer. They managed to keep key attackers Lucas Stassin and Zuriko Davitashvili at the club. Fans expected an immediate return to the elite level, but the team finished below Le Mans FC in the automatic promotion race.
According to reports from L’Équipe, the two parties could not reach an agreement over a new deal. Therefore, Montanier will leave the club after just a few months in charge.