Robert Herbin, emblematic trainer of the great era of AS Saint-Etienne, died Monday evening at the age of 81, from lung problems apparently unrelated to the coronavirus. Nicknamed the "Sphinx", the former defensive midfielder left its mark on French football and the city of Saint-Etienne, now in mourning. "He is one of the most important characters of ASSE. He was the man of renewal, not only from ASSE, but from French football," reacted moved Bernard Caiazzo, co-president of the club from Stéphane on Tuesday. at the microphone of Europe 1.
This night promises to be so long and full of sadness.
Part of us is leaving. Our grief is matched only by our deep admiration for him.
Robert Herbin will forever be in our hearts.
To his family, # ASSE sends its deepest condolences. pic.twitter.com/5iPDxXygkj
But Robert Herbin was initially the man of only one club: ASSE. As a player, he spent his entire career there, wetting the jersey 493 times and scoring 99 goals. With the iconic jersey of the Greens, he won five French Championships. He then becomes, at only 33 years old, the club's coach and takes control of a workforce cut for the most beautiful evenings of French football: Rocheteau, Janvion and Lopez are present, as are the tauliers: Larqué, Barthenay or the Revelli brothers.
In France, the Greens outclass the first division and in the European Cup, they offer exceptional evenings, at a time when each televised match is an event. The "green fever" then ignites the country ... until a legendary European Cup final in 1976, lost 1-0 in Glasgow against Bayern Munich and its stars Müller, Beckenbauer and Rummenigge, but which will remain in History of football for the Hampden Park goalposts, hit twice in the match.
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Despite the defeat in the final, ASSE descends the Champs-Élysées, Robert Herbin at the head. His red mop and his impenetrable air earned him a nickname he kept until the end: "the Sphinx" ... Quiet, lonely character, who had chosen to retire just above the training center of his old team.
"These are men like him who made us proud thanks to results and international recognition. If France is one of the great nations of football, it owes a lot to men like Robert Herbin," said Bernard Caiazzo.
"The Sphinx" has indeed sublimated the history of French sport, having constituted one of the most beautiful prize lists in French football. Robert Herbin was nine times champion of France, five times as player and four as coach, and six times winner of the cup of France, three in each role. In the national team, he was a member of the squad which finished fourth at the first European Nations Championship in 1960.