The 2002-03 campaign saw Les Bleus secure a mid-table 12th-place finish in the newly-branded Ligue 1 under the guidance of manager Gérard Gili. Leading the charge was the veteran striker Florian Maurice, whose 10 league goals proved crucial in a season that saw the arrival of talents like Laurent Batlles and a loan spell for a young Grégory Vignal. It was a solid year of consolidation for the club, cementing their place in the top flight.