Sébastien Joseph appointed head coach of the women's professional team

At 46, Sébastien Joseph arrives in Forez with an already well-established background. Born in Échirolles, near Grenoble, he naturally began his career with GF38. He then moved on to AC Seyssinet and the Mediterranean League before taking on a role in the women’s top flight at Rodez in 2015, marking his entry into women’s football. Over two seasons, he coached RAF, helping the club remain in Division 1, notably achieving a fifth-place finish and a Coupe de France semi-final in his very first season.

Following this successful spell, Sébastien Joseph joined Soyaux in 2017, another top-flight side. In Charente, he secured three consecutive stays in the division, guiding ASJ to 5th, 6th, and 10th place finishes in the Arkema Première Ligue. In October 2020, he moved to the Mediterranean League as a Departmental Technical Manager and also took on a role as a consultant for the league’s official broadcaster.

In the winter of 2022, Sébastien Joseph was brought in by Dijon to rescue a team facing relegation. He successfully completed the mission in his first shortened season with DFCO. He repeated that achievement the following year, before leading the Burgundy club to a more comfortable survival (8th) in the 2023–2024 season. Most recently, he guided DFCO to a breakout campaign, finishing 4th in the Arkema Première Ligue with 13 wins and securing a spot in the playoffs.

At ASSE, Sébastien Joseph will be joined by his assistant, Tom Bouvier, with whom he previously worked at Soyaux.

Sébastien Joseph, new head coach of the Vertes:  "I’m joining a great club that wants to do more than just exist in the Arkema Première Ligue. My staff and I will do everything we can to meet the high ambitions set by our management. Being part of an ambitious project where the women’s team is valued and professionalism is truly respected is exactly what I was looking for. I want to bring structure and a different methodology. The idea isn’t to change everything—many great things have already been done. My game plan is based on quick attacks and transitions. Beyond that, I want players who are extremely disciplined and fully committed to the project."

Jean-Marc Barsotti, President of ASSE Association: "Sébastien Joseph’s arrival marks the beginning of a new cycle. We’re building a project that will allow the women’s team to be ambitious in the coming years. Sébastien is a coach with a great deal of experience. His technical approach resonated with everyone at the club. I wish him a warm welcome. I’d also like to thank Marc-Antoine Brihat for stepping in last January and keeping the team in the top flight of women’s football. He will now take charge of the U19 women’s team, ensuring a vital connection between that squad and the senior professionals."

✍️ Sébastien Joseph, nouveau coach des Vertes !

L'AS Saint-Étienne est heureuse d'annoncer la nomination de l'entraîneur expérimenté à la tête de son équipe féminine ! 💚 pic.twitter.com/cuA3n9XdZE

— ASSE Féminines 👸 (@ASSEFeminines) June 18, 2025