Robert Herbin
Encyclopedia
Robert Herbin is a retired French association football
defender
and manager.
, one of the best French team at the moment, did not recruit him so he went to AS Saint-Étienne
in 1957, becoming one of the best prospects of French football. As a defensive midfielder, he is comfortable in the fashioned 4–2–4 system at the beginning of the 1960s, providing his physique to his team. He became important for France
, forth at Euro 1960, and a member of the FIFA World Cup 1966 squad in England. He was a cornerstone of the first generation of the great AS Saint-Étienne
winning side which clinched four titles in a row, from 1967 to 1970. For the 1969–1970 season, coach Albert Batteux moved Herbin at fullback along with Bernard Bosquier
. The association was successful, and Herbin remained at that position till the end of his career.
at the age of 33. He used the youth academy of the club, which gave him lots of talented young players such as Gérard Janvion
, Dominique Bathenay
, Jacques Santini and Dominique Rocheteau
.He built up one of the best team in Europe, but failed in UEFA Champions League
final against Bayern Munich, because of the famous "squared goalposts" of Hampden Park
in Glasgow
. Thanks to him and the arrival of Michel Platini
in summer 1979, les verts remained at the top flight of French football, winning their last French championship
in 1981.
Herbin, close to Club President Roger Rocher, left with him in 1983 and joined Olympique Lyonnais
, the great rival of AS Saint-Étienne
. Herbin could not save the team from relegation though. Then, he coached Al-Nasr
and RC Strasbourg
, before coming back to AS Saint-Étienne
in 1987. However, the glorious past of the team was far away and Herbin left the club again in 1990. He ended his managerial career at Red Star Saint-Ouen
before working for French Football Federation
at the federal council.
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...
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....
and manager.
Playing era
He was formed at Cavigal de Nice, but OGC NiceOGC 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...
, one of the best French team at the moment, did not recruit him so he went to AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
in 1957, becoming one of the best prospects of French football. As a defensive midfielder, he is comfortable in the fashioned 4–2–4 system at the beginning of the 1960s, providing his physique to his team. He became important for France
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...
, forth at Euro 1960, and a member of the FIFA World Cup 1966 squad in England. He was a cornerstone of the first generation of the great AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
winning side which clinched four titles in a row, from 1967 to 1970. For the 1969–1970 season, coach Albert Batteux moved Herbin at fullback along with Bernard Bosquier
Bernard Bosquier
Bernard Bosquier is a former French international footballer who played defender.-Biography:...
. The association was successful, and Herbin remained at that position till the end of his career.
Coaching era
After Albert Batteux's departure, Herbin became one of the youngest coach in France, taking up the coach position at AS Saint-ÉtienneAS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
at the age of 33. He used the youth academy of the club, which gave him lots of talented young players such as Gérard Janvion
Gérard Janvion
Gérard Janvion is a retired French international footballer who played defender.-Club career:Janvion started his career in Martinique with the local side CS Case-Pilote...
, Dominique Bathenay
Dominique Bathenay
Dominique Bathenay is a retired football midfielder from France, who last worked as Head Coach of United Arab Emirates.- Career :...
, Jacques Santini and Dominique Rocheteau
Dominique Rocheteau
Dominique Rocheteau is a former football striker from France, who is currently the head of the National Commission of Ethics of the French Football Association....
.He built up one of the best team in Europe, but failed in UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
final against Bayern Munich, because of the famous "squared goalposts" of Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. Thanks to him and the arrival of Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
in summer 1979, les verts remained at the top flight of French football, winning their last French championship
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....
in 1981.
Herbin, close to Club President Roger Rocher, left with him in 1983 and joined Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
, the great rival of AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
. Herbin could not save the team from relegation though. Then, he coached Al-Nasr
Al-Nasr
Al Nassr FC is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Riyadh. Formed in 1955 the club plays its home games at King Fahd Stadium and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Its home colours are yellow and blue.-History:...
and 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...
, before coming back to AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
in 1987. However, the glorious past of the team was far away and Herbin left the club again in 1990. He ended his managerial career at Red Star Saint-Ouen
Red Star Saint-Ouen
Red Star Football Club 93 is a French association football club based in Saint-Ouen located in the northern suburbs of Paris. The club was founded in 1897 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of French football...
before working for 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...
at the federal council.
Trivia
- Herbin was well known for his red hair.
- He is the only coach in modern French football who scored a goal for his team. During the last match of 1974–75 season, at the age of 36, he played as fullback against Troyes ACTroyes ACEspérance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne is a French association football club, based in Troyes. It was founded in 1900. The club was promoted to Ligue 1 for the 2005–06 season and their first Ligue 1 season was in 1954/55, and their second spell came in 1999/2000 Espérance Sportive Troyes Aube...
and scored a penalty. AS Saint-ÉtienneAS Saint-ÉtienneAssociation Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
had already been declared the champions.
Titles
-
- As a player
- French championshipLigue 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....
in 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 with AS Saint-ÉtienneAS Saint-ÉtienneAssociation Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city... - 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...
1962, 1968, and 1970 with AS Saint-ÉtienneAS Saint-ÉtienneAssociation Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
-
- As a coach
- French championshipLigue 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....
in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1981 with AS Saint-ÉtienneAS Saint-ÉtienneAssociation Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city... - 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...
1974, 1975, and 1977 with AS Saint-ÉtienneAS Saint-ÉtienneAssociation Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city... - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
runner-up in 1976 with AS Saint-ÉtienneAS Saint-ÉtienneAssociation Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...