France’s Clermont Foot is a forward-thinking club. Between 2014 and 2017, the side was managed by the current coach of the women’s national team, Corinne Diacre, making her the first woman to coach a men’s professional team in a competitive match in France.
After Diacre left to take charge of France, she was replaced by Pascal Gastien. Under Gastien, Clermont finished second in Ligue 2 during the 2020-21 season, achieving promotion to the top division for the first time in its 110-year history.
Given the club’s previous lack of experience in the top division, it should come as no surprise that its home ground — the Stade Gabriel Montpied in Clermont-Ferrand — is an incredibly modest ground that seats a little over 10,000 and features only one permanent stand.
But that’s all changing with Clermont’s place in Ligue 1. With Atelier Ferret Architectures providing the vision, the club is launching a three-phase redevelopment plan that’s ultimately going to make the Stade Gabriel Montpied one of Europe’s most eye-catching grounds.
Add it to the bucket list.