Montpellier: Der Zakarian sacked after defeat to Marseille

Montpellier HSC president Laurent Nicollin has announced that Michel Der Zakarian has been ousted as coach following Sunday's 5-0 defeat by Marseille.

Michel Der Zakarian is no longer the coach of Montpellier HSC, the club's chairman Laurent Nicollin announced on Sunday evening, minutes after his side's 5-0 defeat by Marseille.

"I have terminated Michel Der Zakarian's duties this evening. He's no longer the first-team coach. Given tonight's performance and attitude, I felt obliged to intervene," declared Laurent Nicollin at a brief press conference. 

After eight games, Montpellier are 18th and bottom of McDonald's Ligue 1 with just four points and a goal difference of -18. 
"I'm not really happy about it. I appreciate it, but what counts is the club, not the people. As for the next coach, I have nothing planned, nothing anticipated," added Nicollin.

"For the moment, I'm ashamed of having lost 5-0 at home to OM. I'm ashamed for myself, for my club and for the fans. I told the players that they had blown up their coach and that they had better be better against Toulouse next week," added the Montpellier president.

"We had to do something. These are not easy times, especially when you like people. But that's football. When there are no results, it's easier to change the coach than 25 players," concluded Laurent Nicollin.

Michel Der Zakarian was appointed Montpellier coach in February 2023. He had previously held this position between 2017 and 2021.

Der Zakarian's Ligue 1 record 

Michel DER ZAKARIAN (Montpellier HSC, 61, Franco-Armenian, 7th season at the club)

14th season in Ligue 1 McDonald's
Best finish: 6th in 2018/19
Career history :
FC Nantes (Feb. 2007-Aug. 2008), Clermont Foot 63 (2009-2012), FC Nantes (2012-2016) Stade de Reims (2016/17), Montpellier Hérault SC (2017-2021), Stade Brestois 29 (2021-Oct. 2022), Montpellier Hérault SC (Feb. 2023-Oct. 2024)
Results : 
Ligue 1 McDonald's: 379 matches 
Ligue 2 BKT: 228 matches
Honours:
Ligue 2 BKT runners-up: 2008

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