Montpellier HSC
Occitanie club that shocked France by winning the 2011–12 Ligue 1 title, now back in Ligue 2.
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club, usually called Montpellier HSC, is a French professional football club from Montpellier in Occitanie. Its roots go back to 1919, but the current club was formed in 1974 when Stade Olympique Montpelliérain merged with AS Paillade. Montpellier plays at the Stade de la Mosson and is coached by Zoumana Camara. Its greatest achievement came in 2011–12, when it won the Ligue 1 title ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. Relegated in April 2025, the club now competes in Ligue 2. Famous former players include Laurent Blanc, the club's all-time top scorer, along with Eric Cantona, Roger Milla, Carlos Valderrama and Olivier Giroud.
Quick Facts
- Clubname
- Montpellier
- Fullname
- Montpellier Hérault Sport Club
- Nickname
- La Paillade
- Short Name
- MHSC
- Founded
- 1974
- Ground
- Stade de la Mosson
- Capacity
- 33,556
- Chrtitle
- President
- Chairman
- Laurent Nicollin
- Mgrtitle
- Head coach
- Manager
- Zoumana Camara
- Season
- Montpellier2
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Founded as Stade Olympique Montpelliérain in 1919, the club won the Coupe de France in 1929 by beating FC Sète 2–0 and was one of twenty clubs in the first professional Division 1 season of 1932–33. After the 1974 merger created Montpellier HSC, owned by entrepreneur Louis Nicollin, the club added a second Coupe de France in 1990 with a 2–1 win over RC Paris, the Coupe de la Ligue in 1992 and the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999. The following years brought ups and downs, including relegation after the 1999–2000 season and five straight seasons in Ligue 2 before promotion for 2009–10.
Reader's Guide
Montpellier's title-winning season ended on 20 May 2012 with a 2–1 win at Auxerre, sealed by a John Utaka brace in a match interrupted by crowd trouble. The team finished on 82 points, three clear of Paris Saint-Germain, and Olivier Giroud was named the league's top scorer with 21 goals, edging Nenê on goals from open play. The club spent 16 consecutive seasons in Ligue 1 before its relegation on 26 April 2025. It is now owned by Laurent Nicollin, son of Louis, and has fielded a women's team since 2001.
Did You Know?
- Montpellier's youth side has won the Coupe Gambardella three times: 1996, 2009 and 2017.
- Laurent Blanc, the club's all-time leading scorer, went on to manage the France national team.
- The club has won Ligue 2 three times, most recently in 1986–87.
- Montpellier finished 5th in its first season back in Ligue 1 in 2009–10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Montpellier HSC won Ligue 1?
Yes, once, in the 2011–12 season, finishing three points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.
Where does Montpellier HSC play?
At the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier.
What league is Montpellier HSC in?
Ligue 2, after being relegated from Ligue 1 on 26 April 2025.
More in Leagues & Clubs
Elsewhere in Olympique Marseille
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced