Montpellier - Hello France

Proving Grounds

The last time the UEFA Champions League was won by a french club was over 20 years ago. The winner was Olympique Marseille. They battled with A.C Milan for the prestigious tournament. As manager of Montpellier I wish to win the cup sooner. Many expect P$G to be up there soon and with the money they have they should. But I want to win the cup with a predominantly French squad. For years France and the Ligue 1 have been the hunting grounds for bigger clubs searching for players.

March and April are our months to prove that we aren't just another club to easily get by and we aren't an easy fixture on a clubs quest for the cup. Our second leg game is to be against Valencia at home. After we have the seedings for the next group. My goal is to outlast every other French club in the competition and hopefully make it far in the competition. Along with this tournament we have the Coupe de la Ligue and French cup to compete in. Hopefully we can pull some silverware from those to along with the Ligue 1.

Games
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Ligue 1 Table
http://oi50.tinypic.com/2afhh7l.jpg

Summary
After that lovely 2-0 win over Valencia we drew OM in the quarter final in the CL. Not to much of a problem but a decent win on away goals when truly we should have won by 4-2 as in the second leg we had so many shots on goal. Still a wins a win. I was hoping to draw Chelsea but we got Real after they beat the Blues. To be honest even though we lost. I am so happy that we gave them a game. It definitely shows we can be a force to be reckoned with. All I see is a bright futre with a few tweaks in the summer we will be prime. On the domestic side. A truly amazing win against P$G with a rotated side. Also we are through to the finals of the French Cup final after beating Angers.

March player of the Month: Anthony Knockaert
http://championshipnorge.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/knockaert.jpg

April player of the Month: Geoffrey Jourdren

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Easier said than done

A tight finish in the month of May was to be called upon. The final of the French Cup against LEMANS FC and 3 games in the ligue. Two with clubs fighting to stay above the drop and one against P$G. In all honesty I believe the games against Bastia and Lorient are going to be the hardest. While the P$G one was a good way to end off the amazing season. Toulouse on the other hand had games against Ajaccio, Lyon and also Bastia.


Rene Girard

The rivalry between Girard and me had been heating up and much talk and rumour was at hand. Rumours of insults and anger between us two had been spread everywhere. To counter that I got on the phone with Girard and planned a night out with the glorified man. He was and is not an enemy he is a co-worker. To the presses surprise they caught us at dinner with friends smiling and talking. Prodding each other over our plans and tactics. Girard is by all means a hero to me and instead of replacing him I look to preserve his history with the club and go forward with his goals.

Games
http://oi46.tinypic.com/a01nq.jpg

Ligue 1 Table
http://oi48.tinypic.com/dcda81.jpg

Summary
So with our draw to Bastia we were not able to secure the title for a third consecutive year. To be honest though I think this is our most successful year. We managed to bring home two pieces of silverware and had a strong cup run in the CL to many pundits surprise. Not to mention our healthy placing in the Ligue. Next year will be better next year! To top it off we beat those money hoarding baboons at P$G!!!

May player of the month: Remy Cabella
http://www.sport24.com/var/plain_site/storage/images/football/diaporamas/la-12e-journee-en-images4/montpellier-psg-cabella/14178996-1-fre-FR/Montpellier-PSG-Cabella_full_diapos_large.jpg
Putting to sleep all the competition!

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You are about to embark on a great crusade

http://i1.mail.com/616/1653616,h=425,pd=1,w=620/gaetan-charbonnier-anthony-mounier-benjamin-stambo.jpg
After our finish in the Ligue 2 last season I am looking to take Montpellier back to that spot on top again. This is also the year I am looking to attack the CL with everything possible. This is our year to shine and move forward. Our Preseason looked good with friendlies against FC Rouen, FC Istres, Swansea and Anderlecht. These were good games. Two nice easy ones to start off on then we can move onto bigger games. Not to mention our battle with Toulouse for the Champions Trophy. Which added more practice, but I actually want to win that. First game of the Ligue season is against them too!


Notable Outs
Abdel El Kaoutari to Arsenal for 5m
Garry Bocaly to Real Sociedad for 5m
Federico Santander went back on loan to Ajax
Karim Ait Fana will be gone soon too

In
Lenny Nangis from Stade Malherbe Caen for 11m

Mathieu Peybernes from FC Sochaux-Montbe for 9.5m

Gervinho from Arsenal on loan till end of season
http://thinkfootball.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Gervinho-Arsenal-vs-Southampton-PreSeason_2796221.jpg

Summary
Some great signings to bolster the predominantly French team. Gervinho adds some technicality to our forward player. Much like Marko Marin did last season. There is a future transfer clause. I am not sure I will transfer him over though. We will see at the end of the season. On the out side. Shifting my unwanted players was difficult as we couldn't get the prices I was looking for. Oh well. Fixtures and results will be posted up soon!