Saint-Etienne appoint Scot Cathro as head coach

Scot Ian Cathro has been appointed head coach of Ligue 2 side Saint-Etienne after two successful years in Portugal with Estoril.

The former Heart of Midlothian head coach has signed a contract until 2028 and is tasked with guiding the sleeping giant back to France's top flight.

The 10-time French champions were relegated to Ligue 2 in the 2024-25 season and lost in last season's play-off final against Nice. Previous boss Philippe Montanier left the club after his short-term deal expired.

"I know that AS Saint-Etienne is a unique club, with very high expectations and a special responsibility towards its supporters," Cathro said.

"What attracts me here is the opportunity to build something clear: a team that knows what it wants to do, that works with intensity, that helps players progress and that moves forward with courage.

"There is a lot of energy around this club. Our role will be to transform it into hard work, high standards and progress on the pitch."

Cathro, 39, started his coaching journey in his home city Dundee - nurturing the likes of Ryan Gauld and John Souttar in Dundee United's academy - before moving to Portugal to become Nuno Espirito Santo's assistant at Rio Ave.

He would follow Nuno to Valencia, before working under Steve McClaren and Rafael Benitez at Newcastle United.

Then came his ill-fated seven-month stint with Hearts in 2017, which ended after he failed to get out of the League Cup group stages.

However, he put that experience behind him - again linking up with Nuno at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Al-Ittihad.

Cathro returned as a head coach with Estoril in the summer of 2024, guiding them to an eighth-placed finish in Portugal's top flight before finishing 10th last season, playing some of the most attractive football in the division.

"Ian has forged a unique career path," Saint-Etienne president Ivan Gazidis said.

"He doesn't arrive with a conventional trajectory, but with a wealth of experience in coaching, player development, and various football cultures.

"We were particularly impressed by his ability to give a team a clear direction, to help players progress, and to create a demanding working environment.

"At Estoril, he showed that he could move a club forward with method, identity, and stability. This is precisely what we want to establish at AS Saint-Etienne."