Back to the Big Time: Auxerre's road back to Ligue 1
Legends
It was a scene of jubilation at the Stade Abbé Deschamps after AJ Auxerre sealed promotion back to Ligue 1 following 2-0 victory over Paris FC back in May. It was only a brief spell back in the second tier for a club who have oscillated between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 in the last three seasons. They finished last season with 74 points, clear ahead of SCO Angers (68) and Saint-Étienne (65) who both clinched the two other promotion spots.
A simple translation of AJA's full name, Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise, tells you a lot that you need to know about the history of the club located in the north-west of the Burgundy region. Youth, and more specifically, great production of young talent has been a hallmark of Auxerrois tradition down the years. From 80s and 90s legends in Eric Cantona, Laurent Blanc, and Stéphane Guivarc'h to the iconic 2000s swagger of Djibril Cissé - Auxerre have had a huge influence on the world of French football and Ligue 1.
None of that would be possible without the steady stewardship of Guy Roux, French football's longest serving manager and eternal legend at Auxerre's Stade Abbé Deschamps. Believing that the way forward was investment in a strong club infrastructure and youth player development, Roux oversaw an Auxerre side establish itself as a powerhouse in French football. He became a player-manager in the fourth division of French football, earning promotion in 1970, then 1974. He then led the side to a Coupe de France final in 1979 followed by promotion to France's top tier in 1980.
European and Domestic domination under Guy Roux
It would provide the structure and springboard for Auxerre to dominate domestically, with four Coupe de France wins from 1993 to 2005, as well as a Ligue 1 title in the 1995-1996 season. On the European scene, Auxerre clinched an Intertoto Cup and reached the 1992-1993 UEFA Cup semi-final. Roux would manage the side until June 2005, leading the club through 2000 games, including a record of 890 league matches in Ligue 1.
Auxerre's 32-year stint in the top tier would come to an end in May 2012, marking the beginning of a 10-year period in Ligue 2 for Les Diplomats. AJA's supporters would see Ligue 1 again in the 2022-2023 season, following promotion via the promotion / relegation play-offs. After suffering a heart-breaking relegation on the final day of the season in their last Ligue 1 campaign, they are hoping for more success in their second bite of the cherry in the upcoming 2024-2025 season.
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