Dominique Rocheteau, a life in Green

The former star striker of the 1976 European Champions Clubs’ Cup Finalist Team, named AS Saint-Étienne’s lifetime Ambassador in 2013, will step down as Sports Director at the end of this season.

A Player that has become Legend

Native of Saintes, in Charente-Maritime, a land that is dear to him, Dominique Rocheteau joined Saint-Étienned in 1971, when he had just turned sixteen. He played his first official match with the professional team during a match against Nancy, September 29, 1972 (1-0). The year of his 20th birthday is when he blossomed. In 1975, against Leeds (4-1), he scored two goals and started to play with the French National Team. A few months later, the double confrontation against the Glasgow Rangers (2-0, 2-1) accelerated his ascension. It was during the 1975-1976 season, the final of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, that he enchanted an entire country. Dominique Rocheteau contributed greatly to this epic by notably scoring a memorable goal against Dynamo Kiev in the quarterfinals of the C1 (3-0). From then on, ASSE was never the same again.

Champion of France three times with the Verts between 1974 and 1976, winner of the Coupe de France in 1974 and 1975, he was nicknamed the Green Angel for his elegant dribbling and curly hair.

After 197 matches wearing the jersey of the Verts and nine seasons with ASSE, Dominique Rocheteau joined, in 1980, PSG where he wrote another part of his legend. Simultaneously, the number 7 participated in three World Cups (1978, 1982, 1986). He also won the Coupe d’Europe in 1984 and accumulated a total of 49 caps wearing the tricolour jersey.

A Successful Return as a Leader

After putting an end to his career as a player, Dominique Rocheteau had a second journey in Green, this time acting as a manager. Roland Romeyer, President of ASSE, proposed that he return to the club in 2010. He would be the advisor of the President, then advisor to the club in charge of Sports coordination. Promoted to Sports Director in 2017, he contributed to the development of the club. In 2013, ASSE regained the joy of a title win by winning its first Coupe de la Ligue. In the semi-finals, after a victory against LOSC in a shootout, his tears of joy moved the Green Nation who will see him forever as one of their idols.

Dominique Rocheteau has worked closely with Jean-Louis Gasset throughout the last few months. The former number 7, who will play his last match as a manager this Friday in Angers, will depart while leaving the club where he got back on his feet: at the European Cup.

ASSE would like to thank Dominique Rocheteau for his work and involvement in the club’s projects. The employees, who rubbed shoulders with him daily during these last nine years, have all appreciated his simplicity, his humanity and his kindness.