50 years of MHSC: “The president wanted to create something around me, I liked it”, recalls Hoda Lattaf, the first female star from Montpellier

Hoda Lattaf porte une reconnaissance absolue à la famille Nicollin et au club. MAXPPP TEAMSHOOT – GUIOCHON STEPHANE

Première à rejoindre le club en tant qu’internationale, elle a participé à son develloppement avec les premiers titres. Une confiance rendue par le MHSC ou elle travaille encore signe d’une fidélité commune.

Hoda Lattaf was the only woman to participate in the 50th anniversary match of Montpellier Hérault Sport Club. That shows what the 46-year-old woman represents for the institution. The sign of trust and shared loyalty that dates back a quarter of a century. “I immediately felt good, at ease. I ate with Loulou in La Grande-Motte on a terrace, a different setting than if we had found ourselves around an office. He was a man of his word. There was no need for paper or a pen. We would high-five and it was done.”

And it was not a three-year interlude at Olympique Lyonnais between 2006 and 2009 because she was solicited by Jean-Michel Aulas “to win more titles” that damaged this understanding, on the contrary. “All this was done with complete honesty and respect, which allowed me to return to the club.” The Bordeaux native has not forgotten this first meeting with Louis Nicollin who, in addition to the setting and his personality, presented her with a real project for the development of women's football.

Loulou happy with the victory in the Challenge de France… in Lyon

At the time, Hoda Lattaf was 23 years old, an international and playing for La Roche-sur-Yon, and had two French championship titles with FC Lyon. “The president absolutely wanted me and he wanted to create something around me, I liked that. It wasn't a risk, it was a challenge for me.”When she arrived in Grammont with two or three other girls, the MHSC had just merged with Castelnau-le-Cres, which was playing in the 1st Division. But the striker felt the presidential desire to do things well. “They put us in very good conditions, everything: the training grounds, the schedules, the equipment. We were really good. And from year to year, they made intelligent recruitments that allowed us to quickly seek titles.”

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Sonia Bompastor and Camille Abilly, the internationals French, have in fact also joined Montpellier which was crowned national champion in 2004 and 2005 and won the French challenge (French Women's Cup, Editor's note) in 2006. The club also participated in the European Cup with a semi-final of UEFA. But also to the first Champions League with the return of Hoda which will also coincide with a new French Cup. “That's the moment when I saw Loulou the most happy because we won this match in Lyon, at Gerland, in his hometown.”

An obvious comeback for someone who played 216 matches and scored 151 goals as a player! “I was approached by many clubs and foreigners, but I was happy here. I didn't want to leave my comfort zone. You don't want to leave. It's really something that comes back. You're lucky to be in a club where you have a great president, a club that's a family. And then, you're in a region where you're happy too, it must be said.”

The special edition of Midi Libre on the 50th anniversary of the MHSC can be purchased by clicking here.

So when it came time to think about her career change, she turned to Philippe Peybernes, the general manager of the club.“I told him, as I did Loulou, that I wanted to prepare my back. And then, it turns out that there was a position as equipment manager in the marketing department. I liked it. During my last years, as it was not yet professional, I worked part-time. It was logical after the end of my career to stay in the service of the club and in the job that I had prepared for. It happened naturally with respect and trust. And then, I think that these are people who know that people who have been correct and respected them, they know how to give it to them too.”

The DNA of the Nicollins and the club

So here is like many former Montpellier players Hérault, Hoda Lattaf still works there today. Which is what makes its strength, its identity and its specificity.“It's a family club because you have direct contact with the management, with the presidents. They make you feel comfortable. They put you in the same conditions as the boys in the pros. And then above all, when you need something, they are there and that is important. Their door is always open.”

Loulou Nicollin's before as Laurent's today. “Each with their own touch. But they are always on the same line of conduct, on the same project, on the way of thinking about things and on respecting their father. They are also, it is the DNA of their family. They are people of their word.” A state of mind that exudes from every pore of the club and in which Hoda Lattaf flourishes even if she is not on the field. “I couldn't be a coach, I'm too hot-headed”, she admits, also prioritizing her family and the education of her children.

Real little pailladins who could in a few years perpetuate this legacy in which she has found her place.

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