[Témoignage] Laurent Nicollin: “In 10 years, there will be no more clubs like ours”

Laurent Nicollin was in the spotlight in The After Review for the October/November issue. Questioned by Daniel Riolo, the President of Montpellier Hérault spoke about the takeover of certain French clubs, such as Bordeaux, which are today in difficulty:

“It’s not exciting, that’s for sure. This is why people should look at Montpellier in a different way. We are atypical. We have a different soul and spirit. We are endearing, with guys who fight for values. In the next 10 years, there will be no more clubs like ours. This is the meaning of the story. I don't like it, but that's how it is. And I don't see myself as president of another club, in an office with guys I don't know. I will miss something. I am faithful in friendship. I need to exchange, to share, to go have a drink in a square, to experience something!

Bruno Carotti, our sports director, I have known him since I was 16, we played together. He was at my wedding, I was at his. Our children know each other. I need this kind of benchmark, to be surrounded by competent people, in whom I trust and who love the club. Maybe I should hire guys in communications and marketing who come from Paris. But I'm having trouble, that's not our way of doing things. But I make allowances. If the Carottis and the Delayes were not competent, I would not have kept them. With this system, we gain in efficiency. That's not everything, it's not a magic potion, a miracle product. But when we were champions, the planets aligned. We had a coach from the south and an impeccable state of mind. Everyone was in tune. »

However, more than ever, Laurent Nicollin keeps a door open if a buyer shows up with a “€100 million proposal” :

“A lovely family reunion with my brother. If TV rights had increased, we would continue. But now, we have been giving money back every year for three years. I don't want to make people cry, we're a big company that's doing well. Put €10 million, yes. But €40 million in cash to save the club, that I can't do. »