Saint-Étienne poised to appoint Ian Cathro as head coach

AS Saint-Étienne are set to appoint Scottish manager Ian Cathro as their new head coach, according to a report from L’Équipe. The appointment follows the club’s decision not to extend the contract of outgoing manager Philippe Montanier, who oversaw a campaign that failed to secure promotion back to Ligue 1.

The French club opted against retaining Montanier despite successfully retaining their key players at the start of the season. The failure to achieve the primary objective of promotion to the top flight prompted the board to seek a change in leadership structure.

Cathro has been managing Portuguese side Estoril since July 2024. During his two seasons at the helm, he guided the club to eighth and tenth-place finishes in successive campaigns. His previous managerial experience includes a tenure at Hearts, alongside assistant roles at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Valencia.

Negotiations between Saint-Étienne and Estoril have concluded with a deal to buy out the remaining two years of Cathro’s contract. The report indicates that his arrival at the Ligue 2 club is now imminent, with the Scottish national expected to sign a two-year deal with Saint-Étienne.

The move marks a significant shift for the historic French club as they look to rebuild their squad and strategy under new management. Cathro’s background in both Scottish and English football, combined with his recent experience in Portugal, positions him as the latest candidate to lead the Saint-Étienne project.