Rene Girard has admitted that he is not sure what reception he will receive from Montpellier president Louis Nicollin when he returns to Stade de la Mosson with Lille on Saturday.

The 59-year-old coach was in charge of La Paillade for four years and led them to the Ligue 1 title in 2011-12, but left the club in the summer that caused a rift between him and Nicollin.

"I'll just see what happens, but I am a polite and well brought-up person," Ligue1.com quotes Girard as saying.

"I regret the fact that we could easily have parted on better terms. But we had arrived at the end of a cycle and it was time to go."

Lille are currently third in Ligue 1, while Montpellier are eighth.