Can Ivory Coast’s AFCON flop become Montpellier’s savior? Akor Adams talks up Jean-Louis Gasset

Nigerian striker Akor Adams has expressed optimism over Jean-Louis Gasset's ability to save Montpellier from relegation despite his slow start to life, Soccernet.ng reports.

Montpellier have had a tough start to the 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign. They are currently rooted to the bottom of the league with just nine points after 15 games. They have the worst defence in the league, as they have conceded 38 goals already.

Due to their poor run of form, they sacked former coach Michel Der Zakarian in late October and appointed Gasset as coach afterwards.

Recall that Gasset led Ivory Coast to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, but he was sacked after the group stage after winning just one of their three group games.

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The Elephants eventually went on to win the AFCON with an inexperience Emerse Fae who had never coached at top level.

18 days ago, Ivory Coast sacked their coach Jean-Louis Gasset after back-to-back defeats in the AFCON group stages.

They scraped through to the last-16 and brought in Emerse Faé, who had never managed a senior game of football.

Four games later, he wins his first trophy pic.twitter.com/QH1g8uHx0a

— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) February 11, 2024

Gasset has had a poor start to life at Montpellier, picking just one win from eight games. Still, Nigerian striker Adams believe that the French tactician can lead them out of relegation waters.

“Every coach is different, every staff is different. Michel was good in his way of doing things. Gasset came to change things that weren't working before,” Adams said, per One Football.

“He's positive and gives off good energy within the group. He focuses on tactics and he's clear about what he expects from us, through his messages as well.”

Adams has scored three goals for Montpellier this season. He is their second-highest goalscorer this season with three goals. It is just midway into the Ligue 1 season, and he will be hoping that they start gathering points and avoid relegation.