Scot Ian Cathro named Saint-Etienne head coach until 2028

Scot Ian Cathro has been appointed as Saint-Etienne's new head coach, signing a contract until 2028 after two successful seasons at Estoril.

New appointment confirmed Scot Ian Cathro has taken charge as head coach of Ligue 2 club Saint-Etienne following two impressive campaigns at Estoril in Portugal's Primeira Liga. The former manager of Hearts has agreed to a contract running until 2028 with the French side. His primary mission will be to return the ten-time French champions to Ligue 1 after their relegation in the 2024-25 season. Saint-Etienne also suffered defeat in last season's promotion playoff final against Nice, leading to the departure of his predecessor Philippe Montanier when his short-term deal concluded. ## Cathro outlines his vision In his first public remarks about his new role, Cathro expressed his understanding of the club's unique nature and immense supporter expectations. He highlighted Saint-Etienne's special responsibility to its fans as a key factor in his decision to join. 'I know that AS Saint-Etienne is a unique club, with very high expectations and a special responsibility towards its supporters,' he stated. '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.' He emphasized transforming the club's energy into hard work, high standards, and on-field progress. ## Coaching journey detailed Cathro began his coaching career in his hometown of Dundee, where he developed talents like Ryan Gauld and John Souttar during his time at Dundee United's academy. His coaching path then took him to Portugal as assistant to Nuno Espirito Santo at Rio Ave. Following Nuno, he worked alongside Steve McClaren and Rafael Benitez at Newcastle United. Cathro's stint as Hearts manager in 2017 lasted just seven months, ending after failing to advance past the League Cup group stages. He later reunited with Nuno at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Al-Ittihad before returning to head coaching with Estoril in the summer of 2024. ## Estoril success recalled During his time at Estoril, Cathro guided the club to an eighth-place finish in the top flight during his first season, followed by a tenth-place finish the next campaign. Under his leadership, Estoril played some of the most attractive football in the division. Saint-Etienne's president Ivan Gazidis acknowledged Cathro's unique career trajectory and rich coaching experience. 'Ian has forged a unique career path,' Gazidis noted. 'He doesn't arrive with a conventional trajectory, but with a wealth of experience in coaching, player development, and various football cultures.' ## Club's high expectations Gazidis highlighted the qualities that impressed the club most about Cathro, including his ability to provide clear direction, advance player development, and create a demanding work environment. '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,' he said. '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.' ## Follow club updates Stay updated with the latest developments at Saint-Etienne through their official channels. Football news and club announcements are regularly shared with supporters. The club encourages fans to follow official communications for real-time updates and insights into the team's progress under Cathro's leadership.