Helder Esteves spearheads Lusitanos Saint-Maur revival, dreaming of Lille Cup upset | OneFootball

Helder Esteves has rekindled US Lusitanos Saint-Maur’s spark, guiding the club back to N2 and into a campaign that brings Lille, fourth in L1, in the Coupe de France on Saturday at 15:30. L'Équipe reports that the former striker, now 48, has made a winning return in the dugout.

He knows the Val-de-Marne side inside out. As a player he struck 40 goals in 30 matches in a single CFA season from 1998 to 2001, a record that still stands, earning promotion to National. After Créteil from 2009 to 2012, he rejoined in 2012-2014, then returned as coach in November 2023 after five months out following nearly two years overseeing Créteil’s sporting policy.

After a stirring remontada in 2024 to finish third in N3, Esteves led promotion to N2. After 13 rounds the promoted side sit second with the best defence across the national divisions from L1 to N3, only six conceded, 0.46 per match, despite a modest €1.3m budget and arduous trips in the toughest group.

Assistant Tony Sebastiao, also head of the club’s 700-strong association, says Esteves coaches like a forward, embraces risk and carries the club’s DNA, while his team refuse to let go. The structure is laced with former players throughout.

Sporting director Kevin Diaz points to a familial institution, founded in 1966 by Jose Lebre and led since 2019 by Mapril Baptista. Esteves sets a clear idea of play, 11 attackers with the ball and 11 defenders without it, and he aims to surprise LOSC.

Source: L'Équipe