MONTE CARLO, Principality of Monaco (AFP) - Leonardo Jardim returned for a second spell as Monaco coach on Friday (Jan 25), just over three months after he was sacked, the struggling French Ligue 1 club announced.
Jardim replaces Thierry Henry who was suspended on Thursday and then sacked on Friday with the team second-from-bottom in the French top division with just 15 points.
Portuguese coach Jardim, 41, has signed a deal until June 2021 and will take charge of the team for Tuesday's League Cup clash against Guingamp.
Monaco chief executive Vadim Vasilyev said that it had been a mistake to sack Jardim after 2-1 home defeat to Rennes on Oct 7 last year.
His departure, however, would have been comfortably cushioned by a reported 8.5 million euro pay-off.
"Today, we realise that the story of Leonardo Jardim at the club did not end as it was meant to. Leonardo should have been given an opportunity to continue his job," admitted Vasilyev.
Jardim joined Monaco in 2014 and took them to a first Ligue 1 title in 17 years in 2017. They also made the Champions League semi-finals.
"Our club is going through a very challenging period. I am ready to admit that I personally bear the responsibility for this," added Vasilyev.
"We have to acknowledge that during the summer transfer window, we sold too many key players and, despite considerable investments, mistakes were made with respect to their replacement.
"This did not allow us to create a new, competitive team. The decision to dismiss Leonardo Jardim was also premature."
Former Arsenal and France striker Henry earned the Principality club just two league wins since his arrival in October.
However, his departure will not come cheap.
'BAD INTENTIONS'
He was reported to be earning an estimated €3.2 million (S$4.9 million) a year. With two and a half years still left on his contract, Monaco's owners face having to pay out another eight million as compensation.
"Thierry Henry is a football legend but due to a very unfavourable mix of circumstances, including, above all, numerous injuries to our players, hampered him from quickly and effectively leading the team out of the crisis," said Vasilyev.
Henry took over a team who were in the bottom three after just one win in their opening nine Ligue 1 games and already struggling in the Champions League.
For all the undoubted quality in Monaco's squad, too many players were unavailable due to injuries.
Henry pointed the finger at poor pre-season preparations under Jardim, and there were still a dozen players in the treatment room last weekend.
However, in an interview with L'Equipe this week Jardim hit back at criticism of the squad's fitness under his watch.
"That is an excuse from people with bad intentions. Either that or they understand nothing about football," he said.
"You need no more than a month to correct a team's physical preparation."
Franck Passi will be in charge of the team for the weekend clash against Dijon.
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over referee rant The Brazil star missed the 3-1 Champions League second leg last 16 defeat on March 6 through injury, but told match officials
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref rant
Jan 01, 2019 · Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham's win at Cardiff gives us title belief This article is more than 3 months old • 'A massive three points to make us believe that little more'
Tottenham Hotspur news: Mauricio Pochettino hails 'massive
WOLVERHAMPTON, England, (Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998 by beating last year's runners-up Manchester United 2-1 with a clinical
Football: Jimenez, Jota slay Man United as Wolves reach FA
May 03, 2019 · Pep Guardiola is sure Liverpool will respond to defeat at Barcelona by beating Newcastle United and so maintain the pressure on Manchester City as the title race enters its last two games.. City
Marcus Rashford Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts: Early Life Marcus Rashford was born on the 31st of October 1997 in Wythendshave, Manchester, United Kingdom by Robert Rashford (father) and Melanie Rashford (mother).
Marcus Rashford Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life
Football News -ZURICH (REUTERS) - Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is facing disciplinary action for his celebration after one of the three goals he scored in last week's 3-0 win over Atletico
Ronaldo Faces Disciplinary Hearing Over Goal Celebration
Liverpool pulled off one of the most stunning fightbacks in Champions League history on Tuesday as Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum both scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Barcelona.
Five great Champions League comebacks- The New Indian Express
Premier League top-four race: Who has the best run-in? Manchester United, Arsenal, Spurs or Chelsea? Four teams are battling for two places. Who has the clearest path to next season's Champions
Napoli 'keeper Ospina out of hospital after head injury scare
Solskjaer needs to be held accountable for Man United's slide (2:09) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was praised for his early success at Man United, but the FC crew say he also deserves criticism for
As Solskjær soars, how many extra points does a manager
The newly free agent, Antonio Valencia is one of David Beckham's targets for his new MLS franchise Inter Miami, and according to The Sun, Beckham is keen on getting the former Manchester United star.
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match. Paris Saint-Germain's Dani Alves, Neymar and Thiago Silva walk on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 13, 2018 on the
PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match - L'Equipe
Football: Mourinho concedes Man United incapable of living with Liverpool Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho gestures at Anfield, Liverpool, Britain, on Dec 16, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS
Mourinho concedes Man United incapable of living with
0 comments:
Post a Comment