AS Saint-Étienne hit by coach uncertainty and failed transfer bid

AS Saint-Étienne’s season ended in disappointment as the club failed to secure promotion, losing the Ligue 2 play‑off to OGC Nice and will remain in the second division for another year. At the same time, the club’s long‑term midfield replacement plan stalled when 21‑year‑old Danish midfielder Silas Andersen signed for Sporting CP in Portugal for a reported €7.5 million plus bonuses, ending any realistic chance of him joining Saint‑Étienne as the successor to Florian Tardieu.

Compounding the on‑field setback, head coach Philippe Montanier’s contract is set to expire in a few days. Reports indicate he is reluctant to continue in Ligue 2 and may accept a proposal from FC Nantes, leaving the Verts to search for a new manager while they also rebuild a midfield squad under tighter financial constraints.