FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Encyclopedia
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard (soʃo-mɔ̃beljar; commonly referred to as FCSM or simply Sochaux) is a French association football
club based in the city of Montbéliard
. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1
, the top tier of French football
. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal
located within the city. The team is currently managed by former Bosnian
football player Mehmed Baždarević
and captained by former French international
defender
Jérémie Bréchet
.
Sochaux was founded by Jean-Pierre Peugeot, a prominent member of the Peugeot
family, and is one of the founding members of the first division of French football. Along with Marseille
, Montpelllier
, Rennes, and Nice
, Sochaux is one of five clubs to have played in the inaugural 1932–33 season and still be playing in the first division today. The club has won both Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France
twice and have also won the Coupe de la Ligue
. Sochaux's last honour came in 2007 when the club, under the guidance of Alain Perrin, defeated favourites Marseille 5–4 on penalties in the 2007 Coupe de France final. Sochaux's colours are black, gold, and navy blue.
Sochaux is known for its youth academy, which has regularly finished in the top 10 rankings of youth academies in France (4th in 2010). The most successful team in the academy is the under-19 team, which has won the Coupe Gambardella
twice; in 1973 and 2007. In 2010, Sochaux finished runners-up to FC Metz in the 2010 edition
of the competition. The academy has produced several notable talents, such as Yannick Stopyra
, El-Hadji Diouf, Jérémy Menez
, Bernard Genghini
, and Benoît Pedretti
, among others.
, a French car manufacturing company. Peugeot sought to create a football club for the leisure time of the company's workers. He installed Louis Maillard-Salin as the club's first president, and made Maurice Bailly the club's first manager. Bailly was also a member of the team. Sochaux played its first match on 2 September 1928 against the reserve team of local club AS Montbéliard. The club was inserted into the lowest level of league football in the Franche-Comté
region
and played its first league match three weeks later winning 12–1.
Peugeot was among the first to advocate for the professionalisation of French football and, in 1929, went as far as to admit to paying his players, which was strictly forbidden during this time. The subsequent recruitment of several French internationals and players from abroad led to Sochaux gaining a stranglehold on the region easily disposing of local rivals AS Montbéliard and AS Valentigney. In June 1930, Montbéliard decided to merge with Sochaux to form the club that exists today. The following month, the National Council
of the French Football Federation
voted 128–20 in support of professionalism in French football. With Peugeot being a strong advocate for professionalism, Sochaux were among the first clubs to adopt the new statute and, subsequently, became professional. In the league's inaugural season, Sochaux finished 3rd in its group. The club's final position was later moved to 2nd after Antibes
, the champions of the group, was disqualified from the league for suspected bribery.
In the 1934–35 season, Sochaux captured its first league title finishing one point ahead of RC Strasbourg
. Led by Uruguay
an manager Conrad Ross, as well as captain Étienne Mattler
, known as Le Lion de Belfort, and strikers Roger Courtois
and Bernard Williams
, Sochaux dominated the league losing only four times. Two seasons later, the same team, with the addition of goalkeeper Laurent Di Lorto
and the Swiss
duo of André Abegglen
and Maxime Lehmann, Sochaux won its first Coupe de France
title. The club faced league rivals Strasbourg in the final and defeated the Alsatians
2–1 courtesy of goals from Williams and the Argentine
Miguel Angel Lauri
. Ross finished his career at Sochaux by winning another league title in 1938. After the 1938–39 season, Ross and several players departed the club to play and manage abroad due to the onset of World War II
. The non-deserters were, subsequently, called into action to fight with the French Army
, which ultimately caused the club to limit its aspiring ambitions.
During war-time, in an effort to survive financially, Sochaux formed an interim merger with local rivals AS Valentigney. The club, known as FC Sochaux-Valentigney, participated in the war-time championships from 1942–1944. Following the conclusion of the war, Sochaux dissolved the merger, turn professional again, and returned to its original name. The club, however, failed to get back to its form prior to the war and, subsequently, made the decision to forgo entering bidding wars for players, which was becoming the norm and, instead, focus on keeping the team's budget even. As a result, in the first season after the war, Sochaux suffered relegation after finishing in last place with only 15 points. Sochaux spent only one season in the second division and returned to Division 1 for the 1947–48 season. The club spent the next 13 seasons playing in Division 1 with its best finish coming during the 1952–53 season when the club finished runner-up to champions Stade Reims
. In the same season, Sochaux won its first honour since 1938 after winning the Coupe Charles Drago
. In 1959, the club returned to the Coupe de France final, however, the outcome was not in Sochaux's favour, with the club losing to Le Havre
on penalties.
In the early 1960s, despite playing in Division 2, Sochaux won the Coupe Drago in back-to-back seasons. The club made its return to Division 1 in 1964, and remained in the league for over 20 years, regularly finishing in the top 10 before falling down to Division 2 in the 1987–88 season. During Sochaux's 24-year run in the first division, the club played in European competitions four times. In the 1980–81 season, Sochaux surprised many by reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup
. In the round, the club was defeated by Dutch
club AZ 4–3 on aggregate. The club's successful play during this stint was predominantly due to the creation of the club's academy in 1974, which paid immediate dividends. Player such as Bernard Genghini
, Yannick Stopyra
, Joël Bats
, and Philippe Anziani
were among the inaugural graduates who were instrumental in Sochaux's domestic success.
After hovering between the first division and the second division in the 1990s, Sochaux returned to the first division, now called Ligue 1, at the start of the new millennium. The club surprised many by finishing in the top ten in its first three seasons back. Also included in that three-year run was an appearance in the Coupe de la Ligue
final and, in the ensuing year, a league cup title. In the 2003 final, Sochaux, led by manager Guy Lacombe
and academy graduates Pierre-Alain Frau
, Jérémy Mathieu
, and Benoît Pedretti
were defeated 4–1 by Monaco
. In the following season, a more-experience Sochaux returned to the final, where the club faced Nantes. In the match, Sochaux defeated Nantes 5–4 on penalties to win its first major title since winning the Coupe Drago 40 years ago. It did not take the club another 40 years to claim its next title as Sochaux were surprise winners of the Coupe de France in the 2006–07 season after defeating Marseille on penalties. Marseille were heavy favorites heading into match, mainly due to its 4–2 thrashing of Sochaux just 12 days prior. However, Sochaux, now led by Alain Perrin, stunned the nation and claimed its first Coupe de France title since 1936.
in Montbéliard
. The stadium was constructed in 1931 and opened on 11 November of that same year. The facility was previously known as Stade de la Forge. In July 1945, the club changed the stadium's name to its current version. It is named after Auguste Bonal, the former sports director of the club, who after refusing to cooperate with the Germans
during World War II, was murdered.
The Stade Auguste Bonal has underwent renovations twice: in 1973 and 1997. In 1997, the majority of the stadium was completely overhauled, and practically a new stadium was built. The stadium still hosted matches during the renovation period, but with a limited capacity. The renovation cost ₣114 million, and took nearly three years to complete. The Nouveau Bonal was officially inaugurated on 22 July 2000 in a Trophée des champions
match between FC Nantes and AS Monaco. The stadium's current capacity is 20,005.
and international competition since the club's foundation in 1928. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 200 official matches for the club.
For a complete list of Sochaux players, see :Category:FC Sochaux-Montbéliard players
Philippe Anziani
Eugène Battmann Olivier Baudry
Éric Benoit Serge Bourdoncle Roger Courtois
Laurent Croci
Thierry Fernier Maxence Flachez
Pierre-Alain Frau
René Gardien
Bernard Genghini
Fabrice Henry
Michaël Isabey
Pierre Lechantre Philippe Lucas Erwan Manac'h Bernard Maraval Stéphane Paille
Romain Pitau
Jean-Pierre Posca
Claude Quittet
Albert Rust
Jean-Luc Ruty
Franck Silvestre
Yannick Stopyra
Joseph Tellechéa
Jean-Christophe Thomas
Marcel Wassmer Abdel Djaadaoui
Adolphe Schmitt Omar Daf
Mehmed Baždarević
Faruk Hadžibegić Zvonko Ivezić
Vojislav Melić
Laszlo Seleš
Coaching and medical staff
Reserve and youth coaching staff
Football in France
Football is the most popular sport in France. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing bodyand is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of association football in the country, both professional and amateur...
club based in the city of Montbéliard
Montbéliard
Montbéliard is a city in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It is one of the two subprefectures of the department.-History:...
. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
, the top tier of French football
Football in France
Football is the most popular sport in France. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing bodyand is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of association football in the country, both professional and amateur...
. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal
Stade Auguste Bonal
Stade Auguste Bonal is a multi-purpose stadium in Montbéliard, France. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It is the home ground of FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. The stadium is able to hold 20,025 people. Initially constructed in 1931, it has undergone multiple renovations, most recently...
located within the city. The team is currently managed by former Bosnian
Bosnians
Bosnians are people who reside in, or come from, Bosnia and Herzegovina. By the modern state definition a Bosnian can be anyone who holds citizenship of the state. This includes, but is not limited to, members of the constituent ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosniaks, Bosnian Serbs and...
football player Mehmed Baždarević
Mehmed Baždarevic
Mehmed Baždarević is a Bosnian football manager and former football midfielder. He is the current manager of the French Ligue 1 club Sochaux-Montbéliard. Baždarević played for Bosnian side Željezničar Sarajevo and Sochaux-Montbéliard, among others...
and captained by former French international
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
Jérémie Bréchet
Jérémie Bréchet
Jérémie Bréchet is a professional French footballer who currently plays for Ligue 1 club FC Sochaux. He is usually a left back but can play as a centre back...
.
Sochaux was founded by Jean-Pierre Peugeot, a prominent member of the Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
family, and is one of the founding members of the first division of French football. Along with Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, Montpelllier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
, Rennes, and Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
, Sochaux is one of five clubs to have played in the inaugural 1932–33 season and still be playing in the first division today. The club has won both Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
twice and have also won the Coupe de la Ligue
Coupe de la Ligue
The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
. Sochaux's last honour came in 2007 when the club, under the guidance of Alain Perrin, defeated favourites Marseille 5–4 on penalties in the 2007 Coupe de France final. Sochaux's colours are black, gold, and navy blue.
Sochaux is known for its youth academy, which has regularly finished in the top 10 rankings of youth academies in France (4th in 2010). The most successful team in the academy is the under-19 team, which has won the Coupe Gambardella
Coupe Gambardella
The Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
twice; in 1973 and 2007. In 2010, Sochaux finished runners-up to FC Metz in the 2010 edition
2010 Coupe Gambardella Final
The 2010 Coupe Gambardella Final was the 55th final of France's youth cup competition. The final took place on 1 May 2010 at the Stade de France in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis and served as a curtain raiser for the final of the Coupe de France. The match was contested between Sochaux and Metz...
of the competition. The academy has produced several notable talents, such as Yannick Stopyra
Yannick Stopyra
Yannick Stopyra is a former French international footballer who played as striker, and who represented the France national football team in 33 matches between 1980 and 1988...
, El-Hadji Diouf, Jérémy Menez
Jérémy Menez
Jérémy Ménez is a French international footballer who currently plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He plays many positions in the attacking midfield, usually as a winger and a playmaker...
, Bernard Genghini
Bernard Genghini
Bernard Genghini is a French former football midfielder.- International :He earned 27 caps and scored 6 goals for the France national football team...
, and Benoît Pedretti
Benoît Pedretti
Benoît Pedretti is a French association football midfielder playing for Lille. He is a deep lying playmaker well known for his wide range of passing....
, among others.
History
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard was founded in 1928 under the name Football Club Sochaux by Jean-Pierre Peugeot, a director of PeugeotPeugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
, a French car manufacturing company. Peugeot sought to create a football club for the leisure time of the company's workers. He installed Louis Maillard-Salin as the club's first president, and made Maurice Bailly the club's first manager. Bailly was also a member of the team. Sochaux played its first match on 2 September 1928 against the reserve team of local club AS Montbéliard. The club was inserted into the lowest level of league football in the Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté the former "Free County" of Burgundy, as distinct from the neighbouring Duchy, is an administrative region and a traditional province of eastern France...
region
Régions of France
France is divided into 27 administrative regions , 22 of which are in Metropolitan France, and five of which are overseas. Corsica is a territorial collectivity , but is considered a region in mainstream usage, and is even shown as such on the INSEE website...
and played its first league match three weeks later winning 12–1.
Peugeot was among the first to advocate for the professionalisation of French football and, in 1929, went as far as to admit to paying his players, which was strictly forbidden during this time. The subsequent recruitment of several French internationals and players from abroad led to Sochaux gaining a stranglehold on the region easily disposing of local rivals AS Montbéliard and AS Valentigney. In June 1930, Montbéliard decided to merge with Sochaux to form the club that exists today. The following month, the National Council
National Council
-Conservation:* National Council for Science and the Environment, a US-based non-profit organization which has a mission to improve the scientific basis for environmental decisionmaking...
of the French Football Federation
French Football Federation
The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris...
voted 128–20 in support of professionalism in French football. With Peugeot being a strong advocate for professionalism, Sochaux were among the first clubs to adopt the new statute and, subsequently, became professional. In the league's inaugural season, Sochaux finished 3rd in its group. The club's final position was later moved to 2nd after Antibes
FC Antibes
Football Club Antibes Juan-les-Pins is a French association football team based in Antibes. The team currently plays at an amateur and regional level but was part of Division 1 for 7 seasons, from its beginning in 1932 to 1939.-Landmarks:...
, the champions of the group, was disqualified from the league for suspected bribery.
In the 1934–35 season, Sochaux captured its first league title finishing one point ahead of RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
. Led by Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an manager Conrad Ross, as well as captain Étienne Mattler
Étienne Mattler
Étienne Mattler was a French international footballer, nicknamed Le Lion de Belfort.Mattler, born in Belfort, played for the clubs US Belfort , Troyes AC , and FC Sochaux where he won two Ligue 1 titles in 1935 and 1938 and one Coupe de France in 1937.For the national team, he won 46 caps and...
, known as Le Lion de Belfort, and strikers Roger Courtois
Roger Courtois
Roger Courtois was a French association football striker and manager.He was part of France national football team at the FIFA World Cup 1934 and 1938.- FC Sochaux-Montbéliard:* Division 1: 1935, 1938* Coupe de France: 1937...
and Bernard Williams
Bernard Williams (footballer)
Bernard Williams was an Irish professional footballer active in France during the 1930s and 1940s.-Career:Born in Dublin, Williams played as a striker for Sochaux between 1932 and 1947, winning the French League title in 1935 and 1938, and the French Cup in 1937.-Honours:With Sochaux:*Ligue...
, Sochaux dominated the league losing only four times. Two seasons later, the same team, with the addition of goalkeeper Laurent Di Lorto
Laurent Di Lorto
Laurent Di Lorto was a French footballer who played goalkeeper. He was France's goalkeeper at 1938 FIFA World Cup.-External links and references:*http://www.fff.fr/servfff/historique/historique.php?id=DI%20LORTO%20Laurent...
and the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
duo of André Abegglen
André Abegglen
André "Trello" Abegglen was a Swiss football forward. He played for Grasshopper-Club Zürich, the French club FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and the Swiss national team, for whom he appeared in two World Cups...
and Maxime Lehmann, Sochaux won its first Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
title. The club faced league rivals Strasbourg in the final and defeated the Alsatians
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
2–1 courtesy of goals from Williams and the Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Miguel Angel Lauri
Miguel Angel Lauri
Miguel Ángel Lauri, known in France as Michel Lauri was an Argentine footballer , he played for Estudiantes de La Plata and the Argentina national football team....
. Ross finished his career at Sochaux by winning another league title in 1938. After the 1938–39 season, Ross and several players departed the club to play and manage abroad due to the onset of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The non-deserters were, subsequently, called into action to fight with the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
, which ultimately caused the club to limit its aspiring ambitions.
During war-time, in an effort to survive financially, Sochaux formed an interim merger with local rivals AS Valentigney. The club, known as FC Sochaux-Valentigney, participated in the war-time championships from 1942–1944. Following the conclusion of the war, Sochaux dissolved the merger, turn professional again, and returned to its original name. The club, however, failed to get back to its form prior to the war and, subsequently, made the decision to forgo entering bidding wars for players, which was becoming the norm and, instead, focus on keeping the team's budget even. As a result, in the first season after the war, Sochaux suffered relegation after finishing in last place with only 15 points. Sochaux spent only one season in the second division and returned to Division 1 for the 1947–48 season. The club spent the next 13 seasons playing in Division 1 with its best finish coming during the 1952–53 season when the club finished runner-up to champions Stade Reims
Stade Reims
Stade de Reims is a French association football club based in Reims. The club was formed in 1911 under the name Société Sportive du Parc Pommery and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2009–10 season...
. In the same season, Sochaux won its first honour since 1938 after winning the Coupe Charles Drago
Coupe Charles Drago
The Coupe Charles Drago was an elimination cup competition organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel, between clubs that are knocked out before the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. The tournament was founded in 1953 and was discontinued after the 1965 tournament.-Finals:Key-Results by...
. In 1959, the club returned to the Coupe de France final, however, the outcome was not in Sochaux's favour, with the club losing to Le Havre
Le Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
on penalties.
In the early 1960s, despite playing in Division 2, Sochaux won the Coupe Drago in back-to-back seasons. The club made its return to Division 1 in 1964, and remained in the league for over 20 years, regularly finishing in the top 10 before falling down to Division 2 in the 1987–88 season. During Sochaux's 24-year run in the first division, the club played in European competitions four times. In the 1980–81 season, Sochaux surprised many by reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. In the round, the club was defeated by Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
club AZ 4–3 on aggregate. The club's successful play during this stint was predominantly due to the creation of the club's academy in 1974, which paid immediate dividends. Player such as Bernard Genghini
Bernard Genghini
Bernard Genghini is a French former football midfielder.- International :He earned 27 caps and scored 6 goals for the France national football team...
, Yannick Stopyra
Yannick Stopyra
Yannick Stopyra is a former French international footballer who played as striker, and who represented the France national football team in 33 matches between 1980 and 1988...
, Joël Bats
Joël Bats
Joël Bats is a retired goalkeeper and French international footballer.-Goalkeeper:Bats began his professional career with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard in 1974, moving on to newly promoted AJ Auxerre the following year...
, and Philippe Anziani
Philippe Anziani
Philippe Anziani is a French former football striker and manager.-Coaching career:He has managed SC Bastia for the season 2009–10. and on 26 November 2009 SC Bastia's club officials have fired the coach Philippe Anziani due to poor results. He was named FC Nantes manager in March 2011.-External...
were among the inaugural graduates who were instrumental in Sochaux's domestic success.
Coupe de la Ligue
The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
final and, in the ensuing year, a league cup title. In the 2003 final, Sochaux, led by manager Guy Lacombe
Guy Lacombe
Guy Lacombe is a French former professional football player and manager.- International :Lacombe was a member of the French squad that won the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California...
and academy graduates Pierre-Alain Frau
Pierre-Alain Frau
Pierre-Alain Frau, is a French football forward who plays for Caen in Ligue 1. Frau can operate on the right wing or play as a one of the two striker positions up front.- Career :...
, Jérémy Mathieu
Jérémy Mathieu
Jérémy Mathieu is a French football player who currently plays for La Liga side Valencia CF in Spain. He primarily operates in the left back position, but can also play as a winger on the same side...
, and Benoît Pedretti
Benoît Pedretti
Benoît Pedretti is a French association football midfielder playing for Lille. He is a deep lying playmaker well known for his wide range of passing....
were defeated 4–1 by Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
. In the following season, a more-experience Sochaux returned to the final, where the club faced Nantes. In the match, Sochaux defeated Nantes 5–4 on penalties to win its first major title since winning the Coupe Drago 40 years ago. It did not take the club another 40 years to claim its next title as Sochaux were surprise winners of the Coupe de France in the 2006–07 season after defeating Marseille on penalties. Marseille were heavy favorites heading into match, mainly due to its 4–2 thrashing of Sochaux just 12 days prior. However, Sochaux, now led by Alain Perrin, stunned the nation and claimed its first Coupe de France title since 1936.
Stadium
Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste BonalStade Auguste Bonal
Stade Auguste Bonal is a multi-purpose stadium in Montbéliard, France. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It is the home ground of FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. The stadium is able to hold 20,025 people. Initially constructed in 1931, it has undergone multiple renovations, most recently...
in Montbéliard
Montbéliard
Montbéliard is a city in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It is one of the two subprefectures of the department.-History:...
. The stadium was constructed in 1931 and opened on 11 November of that same year. The facility was previously known as Stade de la Forge. In July 1945, the club changed the stadium's name to its current version. It is named after Auguste Bonal, the former sports director of the club, who after refusing to cooperate with the Germans
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
during World War II, was murdered.
The Stade Auguste Bonal has underwent renovations twice: in 1973 and 1997. In 1997, the majority of the stadium was completely overhauled, and practically a new stadium was built. The stadium still hosted matches during the renovation period, but with a limited capacity. The renovation cost ₣114 million, and took nearly three years to complete. The Nouveau Bonal was officially inaugurated on 22 July 2000 in a Trophée des champions
Trophée des champions
The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
match between FC Nantes and AS Monaco. The stadium's current capacity is 20,005.
Current squad
As of 1 September, 2011Out on loan
Reserve squad
As of 9 January 2011Notable former players
Below are the notable former players who have represented Sochaux in leagueLigue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
and international competition since the club's foundation in 1928. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 200 official matches for the club.
For a complete list of Sochaux players, see :Category:FC Sochaux-Montbéliard players
Philippe Anziani
Philippe Anziani
Philippe Anziani is a French former football striker and manager.-Coaching career:He has managed SC Bastia for the season 2009–10. and on 26 November 2009 SC Bastia's club officials have fired the coach Philippe Anziani due to poor results. He was named FC Nantes manager in March 2011.-External...
Eugène Battmann Olivier Baudry
Olivier Baudry
Olivier Baudry is a French football player.-Football career:Baudry started his professional career at Sochaux. He climbed up from the youth team to the first team as captain. He followed the team relegations and promotion, until 2000 when he joined Lausanne in the Swiss Challenge League...
Éric Benoit Serge Bourdoncle Roger Courtois
Roger Courtois
Roger Courtois was a French association football striker and manager.He was part of France national football team at the FIFA World Cup 1934 and 1938.- FC Sochaux-Montbéliard:* Division 1: 1935, 1938* Coupe de France: 1937...
Laurent Croci
Laurent Croci
Laurent Croci is a French retired footballer, currently managing FC Mulhouse.-External links:**...
Thierry Fernier Maxence Flachez
Maxence Flachez
Maxence Flachez is a retired French footballer who played as a central defender.-Football career:Flachez made his professional - and top division - debut for Olympique Lyonnais on August 29, 1992 , in a 2–2 home draw against Olympique de Marseille...
Pierre-Alain Frau
Pierre-Alain Frau
Pierre-Alain Frau, is a French football forward who plays for Caen in Ligue 1. Frau can operate on the right wing or play as a one of the two striker positions up front.- Career :...
René Gardien
René Gardien
René Gardien is a former French footballer born 10 February 1928 in Chambéry , died 1 February 2006 . He played as an attacker at FC Sochaux and was remarkably efficient, he scored 122 league goals.-Playing career:* 1947-1959: FC Sochaux...
Bernard Genghini
Bernard Genghini
Bernard Genghini is a French former football midfielder.- International :He earned 27 caps and scored 6 goals for the France national football team...
Fabrice Henry
Fabrice Henry
Fabrice Henry is a French former football midfielder who played for various clubs in France, Spain and Scotland throughout the 1980s and 1990s.-Career:...
Michaël Isabey
Michaël Isabey
Michaël Isabey is a French football midfielder. Currently, he plays in the Ligue 2 for Dijon FCO.-External links:...
Pierre Lechantre Philippe Lucas Erwan Manac'h Bernard Maraval Stéphane Paille
Stéphane Paille
Stéphane Paille is a French former professional footballer who played for the French national team as well as for various clubs sides in France, Portugal, Switzerland and Scotland...
Romain Pitau
Romain Pitau
Romain Pitau is a French football midfielder, currently playing for Montpellier HSC.-External links:...
Jean-Pierre Posca
Jean-Pierre Posca
Jean-Pierre Posca was a French professional footballer.-Career:Posca began playing football for FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, and would spend his entire professional career with the club...
Claude Quittet
Claude Quittet
Claude Quittet is a French former football defender.He played for FC Sochaux, OGC Nice, AS Monaco and Besançon RC.-References:* *...
Albert Rust
Albert Rust
Albert Rust was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Arkansas, and a delegate to the Provisional Confederate Congress...
Jean-Luc Ruty
Jean-Luc Ruty
Jean-Luc Ruty is a football former defender and manager.-References:*...
Franck Silvestre
Franck Silvestre
Franck Silvestre is a retired French footballer who played as a central defender.During his career, spent in two countries and with six different clubs, he played in more than 700 official games...
Yannick Stopyra
Yannick Stopyra
Yannick Stopyra is a former French international footballer who played as striker, and who represented the France national football team in 33 matches between 1980 and 1988...
Joseph Tellechéa
Joseph Tellechéa
Joseph Tellechéa is a French football midfielder.-References:*...
Jean-Christophe Thomas
Jean-Christophe Thomas
Jean-Christophe Thomas is a former French football player who came on for Rudi Voller in the 78th minute of Olympique de Marseille's 1-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League final on 26 May 1993....
Marcel Wassmer Abdel Djaadaoui
Abdel Djaadaoui
Abdelghani Djaadaoui, is a former footballer. He spent his career in France and played for Algeria. He also coached Algeria and is currently in charge of scouting and contacting Algerian footballers playing in foreign European leagues.-External links:*...
Adolphe Schmitt Omar Daf
Omar Daf
Omar Daf is a Senegalese football player. He plays for Stade Brestois in France and the Senegal national football team and was a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He also holds a French passport.-External links:...
Mehmed Baždarević
Mehmed Baždarevic
Mehmed Baždarević is a Bosnian football manager and former football midfielder. He is the current manager of the French Ligue 1 club Sochaux-Montbéliard. Baždarević played for Bosnian side Željezničar Sarajevo and Sochaux-Montbéliard, among others...
Faruk Hadžibegić Zvonko Ivezić
Zvonko Ivezic
Zvonko Ivezić was a Serbian footballer of the 1970s which was very successful with FC Sochaux-Montbéliard in French Division 1.-External links:*...
Vojislav Melić
Vojislav Melic
Vojislav Melić is a former Yugoslavian footballer. He played in defence, and spent part of his career in France playing in the FIFA World Cup 1962....
Laszlo Seleš
Laszlo Seleš
Laslo Seleš is a retired Yugoslavian football player who played with FK Proleter Zrenjanin and FK Željezničar Sarajevo in the Yugoslav First League and Sochaux in France.-References:*Marc Barreaud, Dictionnaire des footballeurs étrangers du championnat professionnel français ,...
Honours
Domestic
- Ligue 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
- Champions (2): 1935, 1938
- Ligue 2Ligue 2Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
- Champions (2): 1947, 2001
- Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
- Champions (2): 1937, 2007
- Runners-Up (3): 1959, 1967, 1988
- Coupe de la LigueCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
- Champions (1): 2004
- Runners-Up (1): 2003
- Trophée des championsTrophée des championsThe Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries...
- Runners-Up (1): 20072007 Trophée des ChampionsThe 2007 Trophée des Champions was a football match held at Stade Gerland, Lyon on July 28, 2007, that saw 2006-07 Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyonnais defeat 2007 Coupe de France champions FC Sochaux-Montbéliard 2-1 thanks to goals by Sidney Govou and Cris....
- Runners-Up (1): 2007
- Coupe GambardellaCoupe GambardellaThe Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
- Champions (2): 1983, 2007
- Runners-Up (2): 1975, 20102010 Coupe Gambardella FinalThe 2010 Coupe Gambardella Final was the 55th final of France's youth cup competition. The final took place on 1 May 2010 at the Stade de France in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis and served as a curtain raiser for the final of the Coupe de France. The match was contested between Sochaux and Metz...
Other
- Coupe Charles DragoCoupe Charles DragoThe Coupe Charles Drago was an elimination cup competition organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel, between clubs that are knocked out before the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. The tournament was founded in 1953 and was discontinued after the 1965 tournament.-Finals:Key-Results by...
- Champions (3): 1953, 1963, 1964
- Coupe Peugeot
- Champions (1): 1931
- Coupe Mohamed V
- Champions (1): 1989
- Joan Gamper Trophy
- Runners-Up (1): 1989
Management and staff
Club officials
Senior club staff- Chairman: Alexandre Lacombe
- President: Alain Cordier
- Vice-President: Christian Peugeot
- Honorary President: Éric Peugeot & Jacques Thouzery
- Financial Director: Danièle Fontorbes
- Administrative Director: Emmanuel Desplats
- Commercial Director: Laurent Delias
- Recruiting Director: Bernard GenghiniBernard GenghiniBernard Genghini is a French former football midfielder.- International :He earned 27 caps and scored 6 goals for the France national football team...
- Youth Recruiting Director: Bernard Maraval
- Recruiters: Abdel DjaadaouiAbdel DjaadaouiAbdelghani Djaadaoui, is a former footballer. He spent his career in France and played for Algeria. He also coached Algeria and is currently in charge of scouting and contacting Algerian footballers playing in foreign European leagues.-External links:*...
& Richard Battles
Coaching and medical staff
- Manager: Mehmed BaždarevićMehmed BaždarevicMehmed Baždarević is a Bosnian football manager and former football midfielder. He is the current manager of the French Ligue 1 club Sochaux-Montbéliard. Baždarević played for Bosnian side Željezničar Sarajevo and Sochaux-Montbéliard, among others...
- Assistant Manager: Alain Bénédet & René Lobello
- Goalkeeper Coach: Jean-Claude Hagenbach
- Fitness Coach: Cédric Blomme
- Doctor: Michel Marey & Philippe Pasquier
- Intendant: Freddy Vandekerkhove
Reserve and youth coaching staff
- Reserve team manager: Éric Hély
- Reserve team goalkeeper coach: Éric Pégorer
- Reserve team fitness coach: Jean-Philippe Blanc
- Youth Director: Jean-Luc RutyJean-Luc RutyJean-Luc Ruty is a football former defender and manager.-References:*...
Managerial history
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1928–1929 |  Maurice Bailly |
| 1929–1934 |  Victor GibsonVictor Gibson Victor Gibson was a Scottish professional football player and coach active throughout Europe.-Playing career:Gibson, a midfielder, played in his native Scotland for Morton and Falkirk, before playing in Spain with Espanyol, and in France with Olympique de Cette, FC Cette and Montpellier.-Coaching... |
| 1934 | Maurice Bailly |
| 1934–1936 |  Conrad Ross |
| 1936 |  André AbegglenAndré Abegglen André "Trello" Abegglen was a Swiss football forward. He played for Grasshopper-Club Zürich, the French club FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and the Swiss national team, for whom he appeared in two World Cups... |
| 1936–1939 | Conrad Ross |
| 1939–1944 | Paul Wartel Paul Wartel Paul Wartel was a French football defender who, between 1926 and 1933, played for Red Star and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and, between 1933 and 1960, managed and coached five teams.... |
| 1944–1946 | Étienne Mattler Étienne Mattler Étienne Mattler was a French international footballer, nicknamed Le Lion de Belfort.Mattler, born in Belfort, played for the clubs US Belfort , Troyes AC , and FC Sochaux where he won two Ligue 1 titles in 1935 and 1938 and one Coupe de France in 1937.For the national team, he won 46 caps and... |
| 1946–1952 | Paul Wartel Paul Wartel Paul Wartel was a French football defender who, between 1926 and 1933, played for Red Star and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and, between 1933 and 1960, managed and coached five teams.... |
| 1952–1957 | Gaby Dormois |
| 1957–1960 | Paul Wartel Paul Wartel Paul Wartel was a French football defender who, between 1926 and 1933, played for Red Star and FC Sochaux-Montbéliard and, between 1933 and 1960, managed and coached five teams.... |
| 1960–1962 |  Ludwig Dupal |
| 1962–1966 | Roger Hug |
| 1966–1967 | Georges Vuillaume |
| 1967–1969 |  Dobroslav Krstić |
| 1969–1977 | Paul Barret |
| 1977–1981 | Jean Fauvergue |
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1981–1984 | Pierre Mosca |
| 1984–1985 | Silvester Takač Silvester Takac Silvester Takač is a Serbian former football forward and manager.-References:* *... |
| 1985–1987 | Jean Fauvergue |
| 1987 | Paul Barret |
| 1987–1994 | Silvester Takač Silvester Takac Silvester Takač is a Serbian former football forward and manager.-References:* *... |
| 1994–1995 | Jacques Santini |
| 1995–1996 | Didier Notheaux Didier Notheaux Didier Notheaux is a French football coach.Prior to his coaching career, he played mainly for FC Rouen, RC Lens and Stade Rennais FC.He then coached numerous French clubs and already had a brief stint for Burkina Faso.He led the team to 2000 African Cup of Nations, but was fired just before the... |
| 1996–1998 |  Faruk Hadžibegić |
| 1998–1999 | Philippe Anziani Philippe Anziani Philippe Anziani is a French former football striker and manager.-Coaching career:He has managed SC Bastia for the season 2009–10. and on 26 November 2009 SC Bastia's club officials have fired the coach Philippe Anziani due to poor results. He was named FC Nantes manager in March 2011.-External... |
| 1999–2002 | Jean Fernandez Jean Fernandez Jean Fernandez is a football manager, currently manages AS Nancy. He has previously managed FC Metz and Olympique Marseille, where French national team star Franck Ribéry saw him as a mentor... |
| 2002–2005 | Guy Lacombe Guy Lacombe Guy Lacombe is a French former professional football player and manager.- International :Lacombe was a member of the French squad that won the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California... |
| 2005–2006 | Dominique Bijotat Dominique Bijotat Dominique Bijotat is a former professional French football midfielder from France, who obtained eight international caps for the French national team during the 1980s.-Career:... |
| 2006–2007 | Alain Perrin |
| 2007 | Frédéric Hantz Frédéric Hantz Frédéric Hantz is a football manager, currently managing SC Bastia.-Coaching career:Formerly coached FC Sochaux who had a playing career before coaching. On 18 December named as new Head Coach by Le Havre AC and was after the end of his contract on 30 June 2010 released... |
| 2007 | Jean-Luc Ruty Jean-Luc Ruty Jean-Luc Ruty is a football former defender and manager.-References:*... |
| 2008–2011 | Francis Gillot Francis Gillot Francis Gillot is a former football defender and current manager of Girondins de Bordeaux.Gillot was named head coach of Bordeaux on 6 June 2011. He signed a two-year deal with the club.-References:*... |
| 2011-present | Mehmed Baždarević Mehmed Baždarevic Mehmed Baždarević is a Bosnian football manager and former football midfielder. He is the current manager of the French Ligue 1 club Sochaux-Montbéliard. Baždarević played for Bosnian side Željezničar Sarajevo and Sochaux-Montbéliard, among others... |