Montpellier HSC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 09/2016
Full name
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club
Nicknames
MHSC
La Paillade
Founded
1974
Ground
Stade de la Mosson
Capacity
32,900
Owner
Louis Nicollin
Chairman
Laurent Nicollin
Manager
Frédéric Hantz
League
Ligue 1
2015-16
Ligue 1, 12th
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club, commonly referred to as Montpellier HSC or simply Montpellier, is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier.
The original club was founded in 1919, while the current incarnation was founded through a merger in 1974.
Montpellier currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football and plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city.
The first team is managed by former football player Rolland Courbis and captained by defender Hilton.
Montpellier was founded under the name Stade Olympique Montpelliérain (SO Montpellier) and played under the name for most of its existence.
In 1989, after playing under various names, the club changed its name to its current form. Montpellier is one of the founding members of the first division of French football.
Along with Marseille, Rennes, Sochaux and Nice, Montpellier is one of only a few clubs to have played in the inaugural 1932-33 season and is still playing in the first division.
The club won Ligue 1 for the first time in the 2011-12 season.
Montpellier's other honours to date include winning the Coupe de France in 1929 and 1990, and the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999.
Montpellier is owned by Louis Nicollin, a French entrepreneur, and has been since 1974.
The club have produced several famous players in its history, most notably Laurent Blanc, who has served as manager of the France national team.
Blanc is also the club's all-time leading goalscorer.
Eric Cantona, Roger Milla and Carlos Valderrama are other players who have played in Montpellier's colours.
In 2001, Montpellier introduced a women's team.
Players
The 45-year-old succeeds his compatriot Patrice Neveu, who was sacked in August after the team exited qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Frenchman Troussier, 59, is a former coach of the Japan and Ivory Coast national teams.
Ivory Coast international midfielder Max Gradel has signed a new contract with French club Saint Etienne.
Cameroon international Clinton N'Jie signed a contract extension with French Ligue 1 side Lyon and then scored his first goal for the club.
Barrada started his career at Paris Saint-Germain before making his name in Spain with Getafe. The 25-year-old scored 15 goals in 34 appearances for Al Jazira last season.
The 24-year-old Senegal international has moved to Upton Park after agreeing a four-year contract. His 43 goals over the last two seasons helped Metz win back-to-back promotions into France's Ligue 1.
Frenchman Herve Renard has been appointed coach of Ivory Coast. The 45-year-old had two spells as Zambia coach and led them to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012.
The 21-year-old right-back played in all of his country's matches at the World Cup in Brazil.
QUARTER-FINALS
4th July 2014
France vs Germany 0:1
He has been named French Player of the Year twice for his performances in 2011 and 2012. Benzema is a former French youth international and has represented his nation from under-17 level onwards.
Benzema has earned over 65 caps and represented France at three major international tournaments; the 2008 and 2012 editions of the UEFA European Football Championship and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
