Montpellier president fires coach live on air

Montpellier’s decision to part ways with Michel Der Zakarian on Sunday came after a heavy 5-0 defeat to Marseille, marking the club's sixth loss in eight Ligue 1 matches.

The dismal run of form has left the club rooted at the bottom of the table, a position that has heightened pressure on both the players and the coaching staff. Despite Der Zakarian's deep ties to Montpellier, which included more than a decade spent at the club as a player and later as an assistant coach, the mounting losses made his position untenable.

President Laurent Nicollin didn’t shy away from the situation, delivering the news of the coach's dismissal in a blunt and somewhat sardonic manner. Speaking live on air during an interview with DAZN, Nicollin confirmed that he had informed Der Zakarian of the decision in the locker room right after the Marseille defeat. "Today I felt it was time to end this collaboration. We spoke in the locker room after the game, and I told him that it was all over," he revealed, making clear that the decision was not taken lightly but was, in his view, necessary.

Nicollin also turned his attention to the players, sarcastically addressing their role in the team’s poor form. “I also spoke to the players to tell them that thanks to their excellent work, they managed to get the coach fired, and that they need to take responsibility on Sunday against Toulouse.” His remarks pointed to the shared accountability of the squad, emphasizing that the players needed to step up and deliver improved performances if the team was to avoid further disaster.

Despite the dramatic action of firing Der Zakarian, Nicollin was quick to acknowledge that this alone would not be a quick fix to Montpellier's problems. “Firing the coach is not a magic solution,” he stated, highlighting that the root issues within the team require deeper attention and work. He reinforced the urgent need for results, particularly as the next match against Toulouse looms large. For Montpellier, climbing off the bottom of the table has now become a top priority, and the president clearly hopes that a change in leadership can spark a turnaround.

However, the club finds itself in a precarious position without a replacement lined up. Nicollin admitted that they are actively searching for a new manager who would be willing to take on the challenge of managing a team in crisis. “We’re looking for someone willing to get their hands dirty and take on a team in difficulty,” he said, pointing to the fact that finding a coach capable of managing the current situation won’t be easy. Whoever takes over will be tasked with not only improving results but also boosting morale within a squad that appears to be underperforming.

Michel Der Zakarian’s connection to Montpellier goes beyond just his recent managerial stint. He played as a defender for the club for more than ten years and later served as an assistant coach. His coaching career took him to Nantes and Clermont before he returned to Montpellier in 2017, where he led the team to relatively stable seasons until his departure in 2021. Following a brief stint at Brest, Der Zakarian returned to Montpellier in 2022, hoping to restore the club to its former standing, but the current season has been marred by poor performances.

At 61 years old, Der Zakarian leaves the club at a time of deep uncertainty, with Montpellier sitting at the very bottom of Ligue 1, tied on points with Angers. Both clubs have only managed four points in their first eight games, signaling a difficult campaign ahead for the teams involved in the relegation battle. With no immediate replacement announced, and the club in desperate need of leadership, Montpellier’s next steps will be crucial in determining whether they can fight their way out of the drop zone.