Saint-Etienne is beefing up its staff, with several new faces joining the physical training team at the Ligue 1 club, as announced previously. The latest addition, Ben Smalley, was spotted at L’Etrat training ground yesterday morning.

serialization in the sports performance department started even before the summer, with Eirik Horneland taking the helm. While some key personnel have departed, ASSE has welcomed several new recruits:

• David Tivey, formerly of Chelsea, stepped in as the head of physical preparation at the restart.
• Following close behind was Donough Holohan, ex-Manchester City director of performance, overseeing medical and physical preparation.
• Also joining the team was Calum Daley, formerly with Charlton, focusing on player fitness.
• Rounding out the new contingent is Paolo Gaudino, who worked at Manchester United, specializing inplayer re-athleticization.

The most recent addition, Ben Smalley, started his new role about a week ago, working closely with players like Ebenezer Annan. His primary focus will be on player recovery and convalescence.

The club had earlier planned to bolster its physical preparation team, and with Smalley’s arrival, that goal seems to be achieved. Meanwhile, David Tivey’s departure was anticipated and won’t leave a significant void.

With these changes, Saint-Etienne is positioning itself for a stronger, more resilient squad. Fans can expect to see these new faces working hard behind the scenes to keep their favorite players in top shape.

Did you know? Saint-Etienne has one of the most historic stadiums in France, hosting its first match in 1931.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Ben Smalley and his impact on player recovery as the season progresses.

Excited to see the new fitness team in action? Think they’ll make a difference in reducing player injuries? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest Saint-Etienne news by subscribing to our newsletter.