Montpellier president Louis Nicollin, one of the most colorful figures in French soccer, died Thursday on his 74th birthday following a heart attack.
Nicollin made his money in thegarbage business and took control of Montpellier, then a minor-league team, in 1974. It pulled one of the greatest upsets in French soccer history, winning the Ligue 1 title in 2012. The star of theteam was Olivier Giroud, who scored 21 league goals and then left for Arsenal.
Nicollin also professionalized Montpellier’s women’s program. In 2017, Montpellier finished second toLyon, ahead of Paris St. Germain, to qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Nicollin, famous for the museum he started with his collection of soccer jerseys, was known for his”grande gueule,” which often got him in trouble.
“To put it simply, I loved him like a brother,” said Michel Platini, the former French star and UEFA president. “A part of me hasjust gone. Louis was my closest friend in football over the past 30 years.”