Ian Cathro appointed Saint-Étienne manager to target Ligue 1 promotion

AS Saint-Étienne has found the successor to Philippe Montanier: 39-year-old Scot Ian Cathro will take the reins of the Saint-Étienne club for the upcoming Ligue 2 season. According to L’Équipe, negotiations were completed in just a few days.

Montanier left the club after elimination in the Ligue 1-Ligue 2 playoff against OGC Nice (0-0, 1-4), sealing the Greens’ descent two years after their 2025 relegation. Cathro therefore arrives with a clear mission: to bring Saint-Étienne back to the top flight.

The Scottish manager was previously in charge at Estoril, a club that finished tenth in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. His career is marked by several spells in England, Scotland, Portugal and Saudi Arabia. He notably managed Heart of Midlothian as head coach, and experienced the Ligue des Champions as assistant to Nuno Espírito Santo at Valencia CF.

The length of the contract signed with Saint-Étienne has not yet been made public. The challenge promises to be demanding: this season, the Greens finished third in Ligue 2 after long being among the candidates for direct promotion. A run of three defeats in their last four league matches cost them second place, which was ultimately taken by Le Mans.

The official announcement from the Saint-Étienne club is still awaited. The summer transfer window will be crucial in building a squad capable of sustaining a full season.