After only narrowly avoiding a second relegation in three years on the final day last season, what Sochaux needed was a trouble-free campaign. On the face of it that is what they had as they finished in 13th place, eight points clear of the relegation zone and just three points shy of the top half. However, this was in truth a deeply disappointing season once again for the formerly Peugeot-backed club, now in the hands of owners from Hong Kong. Albert Cartier's side sat fifth over the winter break, having knocked top-flight sides Dijon and Marseille out of the Coupe de la Ligue on penalties. But after beginning 2017 with a Coupe de la Ligue quarter-final exit on penalties to Monaco, Sochaux won just three times in the league in the second half of the season, just once at home. They were never really in danger of relegation, but they were knocked out of the promotion reckoning early on. They were also knocked out of the Coupe de France at the first hurdle by lower-league Pontarlier.
Les Lionceaux had the best defensive record outside the top eight but they scored just a goal a game on average and relied heavily on Faneva Andriatsima, the Madagascar striker signed from Creteil last summer to replace Ligue 1-bound Karl Toko Ekambi. He contributed 14 of their 38 goals. The likes of Florent Ogier, Adolphe Teikeu and Mickael Alphonse were steady performers in defence, with the latter being named in the Ligue 2 team of the season. Florian Tardieu and Moussa Sao had decent campaigns too, but overall it was not good enough from Sochaux, and coach Cartier will leave this summer, his contract not being renewed.
