Toulouse FC

Toulouse FC

Toulouse Football Club (; commonly referred to as Toulouse or TFC) is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by former club player Alain Casanova and captained by the defender Daniel Congré. Toulouse is also locally known as le Téfécé (pronounced ) and le Tef (pronounced ).

Toulous was founded under the name Union Sportive de Toulouse as a replacement of the former club of the same name, which folded in 1967 after merging with Red Star Paris. In its 40 years of existence, the club has achieved minimal honours only winning Ligue 2 twice in 1982 and 2003. Toulouse have participated in European competition four times. In 2008, the club, among celebratory fanfare, qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in its history and, in the following season, played in the inaugural edition of the UEFA Europa League.

Toulouse is presided over by French businessman Olivier Sadran. Sadran took over the club following its bankruptcy in 2001, which resulted in the club being moved to the Championnat National. Toulouse has served as a springboard club for several players in its existence most notably, Fabien Barthez, Cédric Carrasso, Achille Emana, Jérémy Mathieu, and André-Pierre Gignac. Barthez established himself at the club before moving to clubs such as Monaco and Manchester United where he won several club honours. In 1998, he played on the France national team that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup serving as a starting goalkeeper.