At MHSC, the threat of a tightening of the screw increasingly hangs over worried employees

Angers et MHSC, deux des clubs impactés par la chute des droits TV. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

The fear of an austerity cure is growing in the offices of the Hérault club, where a CSE was held on Tuesday, January 14.

In Montpellier, the midlife crisis does not only affect the sports sector. The administrative sector of the club could also suffer the backlash of an anniversary season in hell during which finances are another dreaded sword of Damocles.
For several weeks, the rumor of a social plan has been spreading internally, arousing real fears at the headquarters in Grammont. This prospect has been further reinforced in recent days.

During an ordinary CSE meeting on Tuesday, President Laurent Nicollin presented the economic and social situation of the MHSC to the elected representatives. At the end of this meeting, if no restructuring or layoffs had been decided, the horizon is less and less doubtful: austerity will not spare the club. Very hypothetical, even maintaining the company could not change this ongoing rigor.

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If no official internal communication had yet been made on Thursday, the pessimism linked to this tightening of the screw has reached a new level in the offices. The potential threat to jobs is a tightrope and is adding to an already heavy climate mentioned by Jean-Louis Gasset.

“When you're playing with the future of a lot of people, you don't have the right to give up”

“There is half a championship left and, when you are playing with the future of a lot of people, you do not have the right to give up,” said the coach on Wednesday, as a reminder to players who also hold the future of people in their feet.

This reality is not new. But since this summer, Montpellier has known that the drop in TV rights places it among the most impacted and vulnerable. Having gone from almost €500 million to €190 million in one year, after deducting the League's charges, the television windfall would now be €5 million compared to €14 million previously if MHSC remained last in May. Anticipating this drastic reduction, the Hérault club reduced its budget at the start of the season by more than €15 million, to present a forecast of €35 million. But the shortfall, combined with a payroll (around €15 million and 45% of revenue) incompatible with the current economic context, is forcing him to completely revise his copy.

Appeared before the DNCG in early December

These restrictive measures were undoubtedly part of the commitments made by Laurent Nicollin and the Pailladin leaders during their hearing before the DNCG on December 10. Like selling players this winter, still wishful thinking at this time. If this appearance before the financial policeman suggested sanctions, Montpellier had been spared. Angers, despite a hole of at least €10 million in its accounts, had also emerged without constraint. Before delays in the payment of salaries for the professional squad in January.

A case among others of French football that is suffering the full force of this new crisis, on the still warm ashes of those of Covid or Mediapro. And leaves employees in suspense. In Montpellier, more than ever.

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