Montpellier president Louis Nicollin has insisted that Jean Fernandez is the right coach to take his team forward.

The former Marseille and Nancy boss will succeed Rene Girard at the end of the season when the latter's contract with the defending French champions runs out.

"I like a lot of things about him, especially his work with younger players," Ligue1.com quotes him as saying. "I hope he can do the same thing here that he did at Auxerre, where he spent five years.

"The problem has been solved for a little while now. From the day that Rene Girard made his announcement, which I wasn't too happy with, I got right down to work to find a new coach, with the help of my son [Laurent Nicollin, Montpellier vice-president], [special advisor] Michel Mezy and [Montpellier sporting director] Bruno Carotti. We quickly agreed on Jean Fernandez."

Fernandez has been without a job since parting company with Nancy in January.