The 2002-03 campaign delivered a strong European qualification for Bordeaux, with Les Girondins clinching a 4th-place finish in the newly branded Ligue 1 under manager Elie Baup. Spearheading the charge was the sensational Portuguese striker Pauleta, whose phenomenal 23 league goals earned him the coveted UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year award for the second year running. His 30 total goals, along with the attacking threat of Jean-Claude Darcheville and Pascal Feindouno, powered the side to a successful campaign that secured a place in the UEFA Cup.