Montpellier HSC president Louis Nicollin has hailed his club's Ligue 1 triumph as the "most beautiful day of his sporting career".
John Utaka's 76th-minute strike saw La Pallaide to a 2-1 victory over Auxerre, ensuring that they finished three points clear of chasing Paris Saint-Germain.
Nicollin, who took over the club's boardroom in 1974, said that it was "inconceivable" that Montpellier could be crowned champions and vowed that they are "here to stay".
"I'm so proud. Proud for this whole club. We are French champions!" exclaimed Nicollin. "It's simply unbelievable, inconceivable! It's fabulous. I think we deserve it, but we'll see what the press write on Monday.
"This is certainly the most joy I've ever got out of this club. It's the most beautiful day of my sporting career, that's for sure.
"Being president of a football club is exhausting, winning the league is the icing on the cake. Don't you worry about us now, you'll be eating Montpellier morning noon and night for the next five years because we are here to stay!"
The victory marked Montpellier's first ever league title.
Michael Penkman
