After several weeks of discussion with its president Laurent Nicollin, Michel Der Zakarian (left) announced the end of his Montpellier adventure, “by mutual agreement”. – N. Bonzom / Maxele Presse
- After four years spent on the bench of the MHSC, Michel Der Zakarian and Montpellier have decided to end their adventure “by mutual agreement”, specifies the coach.
- Arrived at a club in great sporting difficulties, the coach stabilized him in the Top 10.
- The recruitment and the advent of the Delort – Laborde duo symbolize the transformation of a team first recognized for its solidity before being praised for its offensive development.
Michel Der Zakarian announced it to the players in the locker room on Saturday. Four years after his arrival on the bench of the MHSC, he will no longer be the coach of Montpellier next season. “By mutual agreement with the president, we decided to stop this adventure. I spent four great years at the club, ”he explains.
Negotiations with Laurent Nicollin for a contract extension were opened on March 24. As their outcome dragged on, the end of the story seemed inevitable.
Four seasons in the Top 10
The former Armenian international has spent four consecutive seasons on the bench for MHSC. A record (co-held by René Girard) in a club where the coaches have often waltzed to the rhythm of poor performances or disagreements with Louis Nicollin, the historic president of La Paillade.
In four seasons under his leadership, Montpellier settled in the first part of L1. With Der Zakarian, the MHSC finished between sixth and tenth place, while its estimated budget placed it more in the second half of the table. “I got the club back when it was seventeenth. This is the fourth year in which we are in the top ten. I am very happy with my career and what I did, ”recalls the former defender. He gave coherence to the club’s project after post-title seasons marked by sawtooth results and very strong instability on the bench.
“He made me progress enormously”
By opening the scoring against Saint-Etienne (1-2), Andy Delort came to greet him. Before paying homage to him. “He’s someone I really appreciate. We’ve been working together for three years and he’s made me progress a lot. I wanted to thank him ”.
The recruitment and success of the Delort – Laborde duo symbolize the Der Zakarian era, the evolution of a team once marked by its defensive rigor and now praised for its attraction to the goal. “With a very defensive face when he arrived, he has evolved towards a more attractive playing philosophy,” notes Bernard Mayot, former club player and coach of amateur teams in the region.
The Lamouchi or Dall’Oglio slopes
Laurent Nicollin should speak quickly on the reasons for this non-extension. The desire to breathe new life into the team does not seem unrelated to this decision. To replace it, several names are circulating.
But the president should break with the tradition of surrounding himself with former club members. The Thierry Laurey trail therefore seems unlikely. On the other hand, those leading to Sabri Lamouchi – who finished his training and started his professional career in the Gard, in Alès -, free since his departure from Nottingham Forrest or Olivier Dall’Oglio are more credible.