The 1995-96 campaign delivered ultimate heartbreak for Saint-Étienne as Les Verts crashed to a 19th-place finish in Division 1, a result that sealed their relegation after a tumultuous decade in the top flight. The season was defined by managerial turmoil and a struggle for consistency, yet the attack was anchored by Liazid Sandjak, whose 9 goals proved a vital contribution amidst the difficulties. This crushing drop marked the end of an era for the historic club, a painful but defining chapter that, ironically, featured the emerging talent of future French legends like Grégory Coupet and a young Willy Sagnol.