The 2021-22 campaign delivered ultimate heartbreak for Saint-Étienne, as Les Verts finished a precarious 18th in Ligue 1 after a tumultuous season marked by an early catastrophic record and a mid-season managerial change. Leading the fight was the club captain and talisman, Wahbi Khazri, whose 10 crucial league goals anchored the attack. Despite their efforts, the historic club's 18-year stay in the top flight came to a crushing end after a tense relegation play-off defeat on penalties, a devastating and unforgettable chapter that resulted in their relegation to Ligue 2.