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| John Utaka, former Portsmouth player, celebrates scoring vs Auxerre (image: UEFA.com) |
France’s top flight, Ligue 1, came to a climax yesterday
with the remarkable story of Montpellier Herault claiming their first ever title
after defeating relegated Auxerre 2-1, edging
out big-spenders PSG for the top spot.
What is most remarkable about their story is their transfer
spending, or lack of it, that has supported their push for the title, especially
compared with cash-rich PSG. Montpellier had the 14th largest
budget, yes just 14th and only spent around€2 million, on joint league top
scorer Olivier Giroud (21), putting into context the €42 million PSG spent on Javier
Pastore from Palermo.
The back bone to their success, and in my opinion what all
clubs should base their policies in the same way, is their incredibly
successful academy and “team-building policy”, producing stars including Younes
Belhanda and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who have both become the subject of great
foreign interest following their remarkable season. The club’s sporting director
Bruno Carotti has said the key to their success was stability, with most of the
squad having known each other through the youth ranks.
Montpellier, a family run club, were in Ligue 2 just three
years ago, and in their returning season finished a staggering fifth, setting
down a marker for future success. Although it is considered unlikely they will
retain the title because of the fact they may be unlikely to retain some of
their top stars, the Mediterranean club have set an example for other clubs to
follow.
Without doubt this has to be one of the best and most
remarkable stories from the footballing world, showing you don’t need
incredible amounts of money to win the top accolades. Montpellier will be
presented with the trophy, l’Hexagoal, will be presented to the side on Monday.
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