From May 2017 to May 2021 then from February 2023 to October 2024, Michel Der Zakarian led the Montpellier club 222 times, for a record of 85 victories. The technician's two-part adventure ended on October 20. After a slap conceded at home against Olympique de Marseille, he was fired with immediate effect by its president Laurent Nicollin.
A few days before this issue, he gave a long interview to the media So Foot. Published at the end of the week in the latest issue of the magazine, we read Michel Der Zakarian with total freedom of speech, as if he sensed what was going to happen to him.
Two elements of the Hérault locker room are particularly worthy of their rank: Wahbi Khazri (33 years old) and Téji Savanier (32 years old). “They are lucky not to have competition, otherwise they would not play,” explained Michel Der Zakarian. In question? The weight of the Tunisian international and the French player.
“I've been fighting with them for a year and a half to lose weight. But I gave up, the technician said. It's a question of personal will, and they don't want to lose weight, they think they're fine at that weight. Well no, these are athletes in the face, you can't have five, even eight kilos extra. Over the duration of a match, you explode or disappear.”
Téji Savanier was also criticized for his behavior. However, as captain of Montpellier, he is supposed to lead by example. “He is impulsive and that penalizes us,” regretted Michel Der Zakarian. When the wires touch, he has difficulty controlling himself.
Montpellier, where the Genevan Becir Omeragic (currently injured) and the Vaudois Gabriel Barès play, is now managed by Jean-Louis Gasset.
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