French soccer legend, 72, dies on Boxing Day as membership leads tribute to ‘icon’

French football legend Jean-Louis Gasset has died at the age of 72.

Gasset spent 10 years at Montpellier before stepping into management. He managed the club in three different spells, with the final time in April when he announced his retirement.

The former midfielder also took charge of Marseille, Ivory Coast, Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne, Istres and Caen in a distinguished career in the dugout. He also enjoyed success as Laurent Blanc’s assistant at France and PSG between 2007 and 2016.

Gasset’s father Bernard co-founded Montpellier and the Ligue 2 club paid tribute to their icon in a touching statement.

Which reads: “A true product of the club, he left a lasting impression on all who met him through his professionalism, kindness, and passion for sharing his knowledge. He was also a formidable ambassador for Montpellier’s youth academy.

“Today, the Montpellier club has lost one of its iconic figures. Our sadness is immense when we remember his smile, his inimitable voice, and his sharp wit.

“President Laurent Nicollin and the entire club wish to extend their deepest condolences to the family of Jean-Louis Gasset, particularly to his son Robin, current assistant to Zoumana Camara as head coach of the club’s first team, his daughter Coralie, his mother Eliane, and the entire Gasset family.”

Marseille described Gasset as “far more than a coach”, and called him “a respected figure in football, an experienced technician, and a personality deeply committed to the human values of this sport.”

Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne labelled Gasset as “a wise man with a sincere smile, a respected professional and a listened-to man.”

During his playing career, Gasset appeared for Montpellier over 200 times between 1975 and 1985.

While recently, he made headlines in 2023 when he was brutally sacked by Ivory Coast midway through the AFCON. The Elephants went on to win the tournament.