‘Our fall needs to be less painful’ – Montpellier in search of investment | OneFootball

Montpellier HSC are in trouble both on and off the pitch. La Paillade, winners of Ligue 1 just a decade ago, are staring down the barrel of relegation this season with the club currently rock bottom with just 11 games remaining.

However, the on-pitch outlook, which is worrying, is inextricably linked to the off-pitch situation. Montpellier have been struggling financially, like many Ligue 1 sides. The TV rights fiasco has hit them harder than most, as has been their inability to sell players – a must for a club like MHSC. The lack of bankable assets within their squad, since the departure of Elye Wahi two summers ago, has also seen the flow of money into the club slow.

Nicollin would accept becoming a minority shareholer of Montpellier

It is within this troubling sporting and financial context that Laurent Nicollin, whose family have traditionally been the major shareholders of the club, is seeking investment. Nicollin has sent a ten-page document around the major French investment banks. “We are throwing a hook into the sea,” said Nicollin in the document, specifying that he does not wish to entirely sell the club.

Given the situation, there is pragmatism and Nicollin concedes that he may have to become a minority shareholder of Montpellier. “Our fall has to be less painful at the end of the year,” said the MHSC president, justifying his choice to seek investment in the toiling club. Regardless of relegation or survival, La Paillade will have to once again sell players at the end of the season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle