Clermont Foot, last in Ligue 1, announced Monday evening the recruitment of Sébastien Bichard as “assistant head coach” of the club where he will serve “alongside Pascal Gastien and the management currently in place”.
Aged 40, holder of a UEFA Pro diploma, Bichard was this season assistant to Habib Beye at Red Star, current leader of the National (3rd div.). He previously held assistant positions with the Kosovo national team but also with FC Sion (Swiss 1st division).
“Sébastien Bichard has all the qualities to lead a high-level career while maintaining the philosophy and DNA of Clermont Foot. His mission, with the support of all management, will be to do everything possible to keep the club in Ligue 1 by instilling a new dynamic,” specifies a press release from CF63. “He will finish the season alongside Pascal Gastien before being named head coach on July 1, regardless of the division in which the club finds itself,” the press release continued.
Clermont occupies the 18th and last place in Ligue 1 with three points behind Metz (17th) its next opponent, Sunday (3:00 p.m.) in the match of the 25th day, six behind Montpellier (16th and play-off). Le Havre, first non-relegation (15th) has a lead of seven points. Pascal Gastien arrived at Clermont Foot in 2016 before taking charge of the professional team in September 2017 after the departure of Corinne Diacre. Gastien (60 years old) contributed to the Auvergne club’s accession to Ligue 1 for the first time in its history in 2021.