Toulouse Football Club (tuluz; commonly referred to as Toulouse or TFC)
is a French association 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...

 club based in the city of Toulouse

Toulouse

Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...

. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play 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 level 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...

. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by former club player Alain Casanova

Alain Casanova

Alain Casanova is a football former goalkeeper and manager.He played for INF Vichy, Le Havre AC, Olympique de Marseille and Toulouse FC...

 and captained by the 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....

 Daniel Congré

Daniel Congré

Daniel Congré is a French football defender of Guadeloupean descent currently playing for Toulouse. Congré can operate all across defence, although he is most adapt at right-back. He is noted for his lightning pace.-Career:...

. Toulouse is also locally known as le Téfécé and le Tef .

Toulous was founded under the name Union Sportive de Toulouse as a replacement of the former club of the same name

Toulouse FC (1937)

Toulouse Football Club was a French association football team playing in the city of Toulouse, Haute-Garonne. The team was founded in 1937 and disappeared in 1967, in a merge with Red Star Olympique. Even though this team held the same name as Toulouse's current main club , the two teams are not to...

, which folded in 1967 after merging with Red Star Paris. In its 40 years of existence, the club has achieved minimal honours only winning Ligue 2

Ligue 2

Ligue 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...

 twice in 1982 and 2003. Toulouse have participated in European competition

UEFA

The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....

 four times. In 2008, the club, among celebratory fanfare, qualified for the 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...

 for the first time in its history and, in the following season, played in the inaugural edition of the UEFA Europa League.

Toulouse is presided over by French businessman Olivier Sadran

Olivier Sadran

Olivier Sadran is a French businessman. He is the president of the airline catering company Newrest and is also the head of French football club Toulouse FC having been since 2001. Sadran took over the club following its bankruptcy, which resulted in the club being moved to the Championnat National...

. Sadran took over the club following its bankruptcy in 2001, which resulted in the club being moved to the Championnat National

Championnat National

The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...

. Toulouse has served as a springboard club for several players in its existence most notably, Fabien Barthez

Fabien Barthez

Fabien Alain Barthez is a former French footballer goalkeeper who won honours with Manchester United and the French national team, with whom he won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000 and reached the final of the 2006 World Cup. He shares the record for the most World Cup finals clean sheets...

, Cédric Carrasso

Cédric Carrasso

Cédric Carrasso is a French footballer, who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Bordeaux, and the French national team.-Marseille:Carrasso joined the Marseille youth system at the age of thirteen and, despite leaving for Avignon for one year in 1998, it was there that he signed his first...

, Achille Emana

Achille Emana

Achille Emana Edzimbi , known as Emana, is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Al-Hilal FC in Saudi Arabia, as an attacking midfielder.-Toulouse:...

, 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 André-Pierre Gignac

André-Pierre Gignac

André-Pierre Gignac is a French professional football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings. Gignac is described as a "powerful and dangerous" striker who is known for his "aerial presence"...

. Barthez established himself at the club before moving to clubs such as 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...

 and Manchester United

Manchester United F.C.

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

 where he won several club honours. In 1998, he played on the France national team

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...

 that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup

1998 FIFA World Cup

The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...

 serving as a starting goalkeeper.

History

The predecessor side to the club was founded in 1937 as Toulouse Football Club, but sold its players and its place in French Division 1 professional football to Red Star Paris

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...

 in 1967.

The association was re-founded as Union Sportive Toulouse on 25 May 1970 and took on the juniors of Gascogne and ACE Mermoz-Bonnefoy in order to establish a solid player base. They began competition in Division 2 in the 1970–71 season, playing in red and white. In 1977 the club re-claimed the historical name of its predecessor and adopted new colours of purple and white. The team quickly improved and earned promotion to Division 1 in 1982, followed by qualification for participation in 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 1984. Their best result to date came in the 1986–87 season with a third place finish and another turn in the UEFA Cup competition, including a well-remembered win on penalty kicks over Maradona

Diego Maradona

Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...

's mighty Napoli

S.S.C. Napoli

Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....

.
A decline followed that saw the club relegated to play in D2 by 1994. Throughout the 90s they yo-yoed between D1 and D2 with the club in frequent financial difficulty. Their financial problems led to their being sent down in 2001 by the French federation and nearly losing their professional status. Exceeding all hopes Toulouse FC quickly returned to Ligue 1 play in the course of just two seasons. After some disappointing results in their first seasons back in Ligue 1, they managed to scrape a place in the preliminary round of the 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...

, finishing with a 3rd place.

Toulouse's route to the Champions League seemed to be fraught with obstacles, and at one point they were mathematically out of contention. However, in the stalemate with Nantes

FC Nantes Atlantique

Football Club de Nantes is a French association football club based in Nantes, Pays de la Loire. The club was founded on 21 April 1943, during World War II, as a result of local clubs based in the city coming together to form one big club. From 1992–2007, the club was referred to as FC Nantes...

, they were awarded a win after the Breton

Breton people

The Bretons are an ethnic group located in the region of Brittany in France. They trace much of their heritage to groups of Brythonic speakers who emigrated from southwestern Great Britain in waves from the 3rd to 6th century into the Armorican peninsula, subsequently named Brittany after them.The...

 crowd invaded the pitch in despair at les Canaris

FC Nantes Atlantique

Football Club de Nantes is a French association football club based in Nantes, Pays de la Loire. The club was founded on 21 April 1943, during World War II, as a result of local clubs based in the city coming together to form one big club. From 1992–2007, the club was referred to as FC Nantes...

 poor display, which resulted in their renewed belief in the possibility of European football. In a good final day Téfécé beat Girondins de Bordeaux 3–1 (a hat-trick

Hat-trick

A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...

 from Johan Elmander

Johan Elmander

Johan Erik Calvin Elmander is a Swedish footballer who plays as a striker for Galatasaray and the Sweden national football team. He joined in a free transfer after his contract with English club Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League expired...

), which, when coupled with the losses of the other contenders and Lille

Lille OSC

LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...

's 93rd-minute equalizer against Rennes

Stade Rennais FC

Stade Rennais Football Club is a French association football club based in Rennes. The club was founded in 1901 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Rennes plays its home matches at the Stade de la Route de Lorient located within the city...

, saw Toulouse scrape through.

For the second match of the 2007–2008 season, Toulouse beat the 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...

 1–0 at the Stadium Municipal with a goal from Johan Elmander

Johan Elmander

Johan Erik Calvin Elmander is a Swedish footballer who plays as a striker for Galatasaray and the Sweden national football team. He joined in a free transfer after his contract with English club Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League expired...

.
After the victory against Olympique Lyonnais Toulouse struggled all season to avoid relegation. Their Ligue 1 was finally secured on the last day of the season with a 2–1 home win against Valenciennes

Valenciennes FC

Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...

.

The 2008–2009 season marked unexpected success for Toulouse. The club finished fourth in the Ligue 1 table with 64 points, and secured a spot in the new Europa League. After a difficult season the previous year in which the club struggled to avoid relegation, not much was expected of Toulouse. The 2008–2009 season also marked the emergence of striker André-Pierre Gignac

André-Pierre Gignac

André-Pierre Gignac is a French professional football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings. Gignac is described as a "powerful and dangerous" striker who is known for his "aerial presence"...

, who led all scorers in Ligue 1 with 24 goals and was awarded a call-up to the French national team.

Stadium

Toulouse play their home matches at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse. Built in 1937, the stadium presently has a capacity of 35,472. The stadium was used in the 1998 World Cup.

Colours

The violet is a reference to one of two Toulouse nicknames: la Cité des violettes (the City of Violets), the second one being la Ville rose (the Pink City), which explains the colour of former alternate jerseys. The team's logo displays the gold and blood-red Occitan cross

Occitan cross

The Occitan cross — also cross of Occitania, cross of Languedoc, cross of Forcalquier and Toulouse cross — is the symbol of Occitania...

, the symbol of Occitania

Occitania

Occitania , also sometimes lo País d'Òc, "the Oc Country"), is the region in southern Europe where Occitan was historically the main language spoken, and where it is sometimes still used, for the most part as a second language...

, of which Toulouse is a historical capital.

Current squad

As of 25 August 2011

Reserve squad

As of 4 February 2011.

Notable former players

Below are the notable former players who have represented Toulouse in league

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....

 and international competition since the club's foundation in 1970. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 official matches for the club.

For a complete list of Toulouse FC players, see here.
Dominique Arribagé

Dominique Arribagé

Dominique Arribagé is a retired French football defender. He played mainly for Toulouse FC in the French Ligue 1.Arribagé is currently serving as a scout for Toulouse.- External links :*...

 Anthony Bancarel

Anthony Bancarel

Anthony Bancarel is a former French football player.He is best known as a member of the Girondins Bordeaux team that reached the UEFA Cup final in 1996, losing to Bayern Munich.-References:*...

 Laurent Batlles

Laurent Batlles

Laurent Batlles is a French footballer who plays for AS Saint-Étienne as a midfielder.-Club career:In 1993–94, Batlles emerged from the Toulouse FC academy into the senior squad, playing his first game in the top division against Olympique Lyonnais, on 2 April 1994, a 0–1 defeat.In 1999, Batlles...

 Philippe Bergeroo

Philippe Bergeroo

Philippe Bergeroo is a former football goalkeeper from France, who earned a total number of three international caps for the French national team during the late 1970s, early 1980s. He was a member of the French squad in the 1986 FIFA World Cup...

 François Calderaro Julien Cardy

Julien Cardy

Julien Cardy is a midfielder in the French Football League, currently playing for Tours.notes: * = data incomplete-External links:*...

 Mickaël Debève

Mickaël Debève

Mickaël Debève is a former French footballer. He currently plays as a midfielder.-Football career:Debève began his career at Toulouse FC; after a slow start - only four first-team appearances in three seasons, he became an important main squad member...

 Pascal Despeyroux

Pascal Despeyroux

Pascal Despeyroux is a retired professional French footballer who played midfielder.-External links:**...

 Nicolas Dieuze

Nicolas Dieuze

Nicolas Dieuze is a French football midfielder who currently plays for Grenoble Foot 38 in the French Ligue 1.He signed for Grenoble from Le Havre AC on July 31, 2009.- External links :*...

 Jean-François Domergue

Jean-François Domergue

Jean-François Domergue is a former French footballer who played defender, now manager of Montpellier HSC.Throughout his career he was called up nine times to the France national football team, where he scored only two goals – both in the semi-finals of the 1984 European Football Championship...

 Jean-Philippe Durand

Jean-Philippe Durand

Jean-Philippe Durand is a former football player.In his playing career he played for Olympique Marseille and France at Euro 1992.-Titles:* French championship in 1992 with Olympique Marseille...

 Albin Ebondo

Albin Ebondo

Albin Ebondo , is a Congolese-French football defender. He currently plays for Saint-Étienne in the French Ligue 1.On 18 June 2007, Ebondo signed a new contract until 2010; his original one lasted until 2008....

 Cédric Fauré

Cédric Fauré

Cédric Fauré is a football striker from France. Currently, he plays in the Ligue 2 for Stade Reims.-Career:...

 André-Pierre Gignac

André-Pierre Gignac

André-Pierre Gignac is a French professional football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings. Gignac is described as a "powerful and dangerous" striker who is known for his "aerial presence"...

Thibault Giresse

Thibault Giresse

Thibault Giresse is a French football midfielder who currently plays for En Avant Guingamp.He signed a 2 year contract at En Avant de Guingamp on 15 June 2009.He is the Alain Giresse's son.-References:* at L'Equipe.fr...

 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...

 Thierry Moreau Jacky Paillard Gérald Passi Michel Pavon

Michel Pavon

Michel Pavon is a retired French footballer, and a current a coach.During his playing career, the defensive midfielder was mostly known for his hard-working approach...

 Christophe Revault

Christophe Revault

Christophe Revault is a French professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Le Havre AC-Le Havre:Revault started his career with Le Havre, playing his first Ligue 1 game for them against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.-Paris SG:Revault would return to Paris to play for PSG in...

 Jean-Luc Sassus

Jean-Luc Sassus

Jean-Luc Sassus is a former French international football player.-Titles:*Coupe de France in 1993 with Paris Saint-Germain*Ligue 1 in 1994 with Paris Saint-Germain-External links:...

 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...

 Alberto Márcico

Alberto Márcico

Alberto José Márcico is a former Argentine football striker. He played club football in Argentina and France as well as representing the Argentina national football team....

 Alberto Tarantini

Alberto Tarantini

Alberto Tarantini is an Argentine former football player. He played as a defensive left back early in his career, and later as a wing back....

 Achille Emana

Achille Emana

Achille Emana Edzimbi , known as Emana, is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Al-Hilal FC in Saudi Arabia, as an attacking midfielder.-Toulouse:...

 Lucien Aubey

Lucien Aubey

Lucien Yann Sherril Aubey is a Congolese football defender, who currently plays for Stade de Reims.-Career:...

 Fodé Mansaré

Fodé Mansare

Fodé Mansaré is a Guinean football winger who is currently playing for French Ligue 1 side Toulouse.Mansaré is highly rated in France and is well known for he tricks and skills, dribbling and play-making abilities...

Club officials

Senior club staff

• President: Olivier Sadran
  Olivier Sadran
  Olivier Sadran is a French businessman. He is the president of the airline catering company Newrest and is also the head of French football club Toulouse FC having been since 2001. Sadran took over the club following its bankruptcy, which resulted in the club being moved to the Championnat National...
  
  
• Association President: Robert Gely
• Association Vice-President: Jacques André and José Da Silva
• General Director: Jean-François Soucasse
• Security Director: Régis Lecomte
• Accounting Director: France Chanterelle
• Commercial Director: Vincent Galy
• Communications Director: Louis Lacube

Coaching and medical staff

• Sporting Director: Ali Rachedi
• Manager: Alain Casanova
  Alain Casanova
  Alain Casanova is a football former goalkeeper and manager.He played for INF Vichy, Le Havre AC, Olympique de Marseille and Toulouse FC...
  
  
• Assistant Manager: Thierry Uvenard
• Goalkeeping Coach: Christophe Gardié
• Fitness Coach: Denis Valour
• Academy Director: Luc Bruder and Rémy Loret

Managerial history

Dates	Name
1970–1972	José Farias José Farías José Farías was an Argentine football player and manager. He played and coached in France.Farias played for Boca Juniors, Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Club Atlético Lanús, Los Andes, Club Atlético Huracán, RC Paris, RC Strasbourg, Red Star and Toulouse FC.He then enjoyed a coaching career...
1972–1973	Pierre Dorsini
1973–1974	Richard Boucher Richard Boucher Richard A. Boucher is Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development . He took up post on 5 November 2009. Prior to joining OECD, he was the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, a post he took up on February 21, 2006...
1974	Paul Orsati
1974–1975	Richard Boucher Richard Boucher Richard A. Boucher is Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development . He took up post on 5 November 2009. Prior to joining OECD, he was the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, a post he took up on February 21, 2006...
1975	Jacques Sucré
1975–1976	Emile Daniel
1976–1977	Richard Boucher Richard Boucher Richard A. Boucher is Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development . He took up post on 5 November 2009. Prior to joining OECD, he was the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, a post he took up on February 21, 2006...
1977–1978	Angel Marcos Ángel Marcos Ángel Marcos is an Argentine former football striker currently working in the staff of Niort.-Playing career:Marcos started his professional playing career in 1963 with Ferro Carril Oeste...
1978–1979	Just Fontaine Just Fontaine Just "Justo" Fontaine is a former French football player.-Football career:He holds the record for most goals scored in a single FIFA World Cup finals tournament, with 13 in 1958...
1979–1983	Pierre Cahuzac Pierre Cahuzac Pierre Cahuzac was a French association football midfielder. After retiring he became a manager, and led SC Bastia to the 1978 UEFA Cup Final.His grandson Yannick Cahuzac is a professional footballer.-References:*...
1983–1985	Daniel Jeandupeux
1985–1989	Jacques Santini

Dates	Name
1989–1991	Pierre Mosca Pierre Mosca Pierre Mosca is an Italian born French former footballer and coach.He played for SO Montpellier and AS Monaco FC....
1991–1992	Victor Zvunka Victor Zvunka Victor Zvunka is a French former football defender and football manager.-Honours:As a player*Coupe de France 1976 with Olympique de MarseilleAs a coach*Championnat National with LB Châteauroux in 1993–94...
1992–1993	Serge Delmas
1993–1994	Jean-Luc Ruty Jean-Luc Ruty Jean-Luc Ruty is a football former defender and manager.-References:*...
1994–1995	Rolland Courbis
1995–1998	Alain Giresse
1998–1999	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...
1999–2000	Alain Giresse
2000–2001	Robert Nouzaret
2001–2006	Erick Mombaerts Erick Mombaerts Erick Mombaerts is a French football coach and retired player. He is currently involved with the youth sections of the French national side.-Playing career:...
2006–2008	Elie Baup Élie Baup Élie Baup is a former French football player and now a manager.- Coaching career :He won the French championship with the FC Girondins de Bordeaux in 1999. Fired in October 2003 by the president Jean-Louis Triaud, Baup signed for AS Saint-Étienne in 2004 with one of his favourite player: Pascal...
2008–present	Alain Casanova Alain Casanova Alain Casanova is a football former goalkeeper and manager.He played for INF Vichy, Le Havre AC, Olympique de Marseille and Toulouse FC...

Honours

• Ligue 2
  Ligue 2
  Ligue 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...
  
  
  • Winners (2): 1982, 2003

• 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 ....
  
  
  • Winners (1): 2005

External links

Official website