Following the new defeat conceded by the Forez club, Laurent Batlles is no longer the coach of Saint-Etienne.
New disillusionment for AS Saint-Etienne. One too many for Laurent Battles. Tuesday, on the occasion of the 17e day of Ligue 2, the Greens lost 3-1 at Geoffroy-Guichard against Guingamp, thus conceding their fifth defeat in a row.
While he could hope to get involved in the fight for the rise, ASSE is in full decline and the Saint-Etienne leaders have decided to crack down by dismissing Laurent Battles. “ Regardless of his unfailing investment, his love of the club and even this visceral desire to succeed in this mission that Laurent Batlles had, today, apart from all personal cases, we must project ourselves towards the objective which is ours. For these reasons, we considered that a new mobilization around a new dynamic was necessary. Laurent Batlles was as always and this honors him, he has heard. I know what this club represents for Laurent Battles, but I know the responsibility that is mine. It is not turning this page, but opening a new dynamic,” announced Jean-François Soucasse, the executive president of the club.
The dismissal of Laurent Battles is anything but a surprise since the Saint-Etienne leaders had started to sound out certain technicians with a view to his succession. And for many, Thierry Laurey, a former member of the club, is the big favorite to become the new coach of the Greens.
