Relegated to Ligue 2 last season,
AS Saint-Etienne is experiencing a very contrasting season. If the Greens have the merit of being in the race to rise, their inconsistency prevents them for the moment from widening the gap with their competitors.
And for good reason, AS Saint-Etienne is as prolific in its attacking play as it is porous in its defensive organization. A fan of possession football, Eirik Horneland is weakened by this mixed record.
Eirik Horneland, coach of AS Saint-Etienne.
Arriving less than a year ago in relative anonymity to succeed Olivier Dall’Oglio, the Norwegian technician has imposed his stamp on the tactical level, but his approach seems too risky, including in the antechamber. Eirik Horneland will play big in the weekend’s clash against leader Troyes. A new skirmish among the Greens could signal the end, and the names of potential successors have started to circulate in recent days.
Vieira targeted by Saint-Etienne
Patrick Vieira would be at the top of the list. According to Onze Mondial, the profile of the 1998 world champion would not leave Saint-Etienne leaders indifferent. Recently sacked from Genoa, the former midfielder knows the context of French football well after his stints in Nice (2018-2020) and Strasbourg (2023-2024).
This is not the first time that Vieira’s name is mentioned in Forez since the technician was approached by the Greens at the start of his coaching career, in 2017. Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew), Will Still (free after his departure from Southampton) and Philippe Montanier (also free) would be other avenues studied by ASSE.
