Former Heart of Midlothian head coach Ian Cathro has been appointed head coach of Saint-Etienne, a move that has sparked excitement among fans of the Scottish club. Cathro, who was in charge of Heart of Midlothian for seven months in 2017, has signed a contract until 2028 and will be tasked with guiding the sleeping giant back to France's top flight. The 10-time French champions were relegated to Ligue 2 in the 2024-25 season and lost in last season's play-off final against Nice. Cathro's appointment has been welcomed by Saint-Etienne president Ivan Gazidis, who praised the Scot's ability to give a team a clear direction and help players progress. Cathro has forged a unique career path, having worked under Steve McClaren and Rafael Benitez at Newcastle United, and has also been linked with Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur. He returned as a head coach with Estoril in the summer of 2024, guiding them to an eighth-placed finish in Portugal's top flight before finishing 10th last season, playing some of the most attractive football in the division. Cathro's experience and ability to create a demanding working environment have impressed Saint-Etienne, and he is expected to bring a new level of intensity to the club. The appointment of Cathro has sparked excitement among fans of Heart of Midlothian, who will be eager to see how their former head coach performs in his new role. The move has also sparked speculation about the future of Cathro's successor at Heart of Midlothian, with some fans calling for the club to appoint a new head coach. However, for now, the focus is on Cathro's new challenge at Saint-Etienne, where he will be tasked with guiding the club back to the top flight.