Montpellier Strips Savanier of Captaincy Amid Relegation Struggles

Montpellier HSC’s president Laurent Nicollin has made the decision to remove Téji Savanier from his role as team captain. This move comes as the club faces a dire situation in Ligue 1, currently sitting at the bottom of the table with only nine points from 15 matches.

The decision was reportedly made following a team meeting on Friday morning, just before the squad departed for their upcoming match against Olympique Lyonnais. The catalyst for this action appears to be a viral video from a recent Coupe de France defeat, where Savanier was seen making controversial remarks to an opposition fan, suggesting indifference to the club’s struggles due to his high salary.

Montpellier’s performance this season has been concerning, with the team failing to secure any points in away games and struggling to score in their last four matches as visitors. The club also suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to a lower-tier team in the Coupe de France, further highlighting their current challenges.

Manager Jean-Louis Gasset has managed to secure points in two of the last three league fixtures, but the team’s overall position remains precarious. President Nicollin has publicly called for improved performance from the squad in their upcoming match against Lyon.

It remains unclear whether this change in captaincy is a temporary measure or a permanent decision. The club’s vice-captain, Jordan Ferri, may potentially step into the role for the time being.

As Montpellier fights to avoid relegation, this leadership shake-up could be a pivotal moment in their season. The team’s response to this change and their performance in upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their fate in Ligue 1.