Robert Herbin (30 March 1939 – 27 April 2020) was a French footballer and manager best known for his long association with AS Saint-Étienne. As a player he was a defender who later became one of the most influential coaches in the club’s history. His career combined domestic success with memorable European campaigns and a lasting impact on French football.
Early life and playing career
Born in Paris, Herbin began his rise in French football in the postwar era. He established himself at AS Saint-Étienne, where he spent the principal part of his playing days. His reliability and reading of the game marked him out as a calming presence at the back and earned him call-ups to the French national team, for which he made several appearances. His grounded, team-oriented approach as a player later informed his work as a coach.
Managerial career and achievements
After retiring from playing, Herbin moved into management and returned to Saint-Étienne in a coaching role. He guided the club through its most celebrated period, capturing multiple domestic honours and taking the team on deep runs in European competition, including a run to the 1976 European Cup final. He also had spells managing other sides such as Red Star and worked in French football across different levels.
Style, influence and reputation
Herbin combined tactical discipline with an emphasis on collective organisation. As a manager he was praised for his ability to build cohesive squads and to get consistent performances out of his players. For supporters of Saint-Étienne, he remains a defining figure of the club’s golden era, remembered for both silverware and continental ambition.
Later life and death
Herbin remained associated with Saint-Étienne and French football after his main managerial career ended. He passed away in Saint-Étienne on 27 April 2020 at the age of 81. Reports cited heart failure as the cause of death (details), and his death was widely noted by French media and the football community. Local observers and former players reflected on his contribution to the city and the club where he died.
Legacy and notable facts
- Herbin is closely associated with AS Saint-Étienne’s most successful period; his name is frequently mentioned by supporters and historians of the club.
- He combined roles as a top-level player and later as a manager, a continuity that shaped the club’s identity in the 20th century.
- For further reading on matches, seasons and biographical detail see club histories and national profiles (biographical sources).